The Durban July is the most prestigious horse racing event in South Africa and has put national horse racing on the map. Our expert guide is a great way to prepare for the 2025 Durban July betting.
What You Need to Know to Bet on the Durban July?
The timeline for entries and declarations for the upcoming event is as follows:
- First declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 12 May.
- First supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday, 13 May
- Second declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 9 June
- Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday, 17 June, on which date the weights will be published.
- Final field and draw announcement will take place on Tuesday, 24 June.
- A final field of 20 horses will be carded (18 + 2 Reserves)
- The Reserves to be scratched by 08h15 on Friday 4 July. Elimination will be at the sole and unfettered discretion of Gold Circle.
The event will take place on Saturday, 5 July, at Greyville Racecourse in Durban. Of course, the Hollywoodbet Durban July is the highlight and is the seventh race according to the schedule, starting at 16:00 South African Standard Time.
Currently, ante-post betting for Durban July is on offer across the country’s leading bookmakers, Hollywoodbets, World Sports Betting, Sunbet and Betway have it on offer.
Before you move on to place a Durban July Handicap or any other type of wager, ensure you have a good understanding of it.
Durban July Betting Odds
If you are looking to explore Durban July 2025 betting, it’s worth noting that Betway is often the first port of call for Durban July odds.
Moreover, the ante-post market is already open, meaning you can bet on the outright winner now. Ante-post odds are generally higher than those that will be offered when the tournament starts.
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Eight On Eighteen | 4/1 |
| Oriental Charm | 7/1 |
| See It Again | 8/1 |
| Sail The Seas | 10/1 |
| Legend Of Arthur | 11/1 |
Antepost Betting
Betting for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July opened in February and will conclude on June 22, two days before the final field is announced. This timeline allows bettors to place their bets well in advance based on the anticipated lineup of contenders before the final list is officially confirmed.
As the Hollywoodbets Durban July approaches, several races will serve as valuable indicators during the South African Champions Season at Hollywoodbets Greyville and Hollywoodbets Scottsville racecourses. Despite the event being months away, early selections based on previous Gauteng and Western Cape Seasons offer insights for ante-post betting.
Our Ante-post Betting Selection
From nine starts, Eight On Eighteen has never finished outside the top three, claiming four victories along the way. His most notable win came in the Grade 1 Cape Town Met, the second most prestigious race on the African continent after the Durban July. With top jockey Richard Fourie in the irons once again, all eyes are on this talented colt as he prepares for the country’s premier racing event. He most recently finished a strong second in the Grade 2 KwaZulu-Natal Guineas, showing he’s in top form. He’s expected to have one final prep run in the Daily News 2000 in June—a key stepping stone for many July winners—which should set him up perfectly for the first Saturday of July.
A consistent performer on the big stage, See It Again has done very little wrong in his career, having already earned over R3 million in stakes. He’s proven at the highest level with multiple Grade 1 performances and brings invaluable big-race experience to the Durban July. This will be his third attempt at winning South Africa’s richest race—experience that could give him a decisive edge. Veteran jockey Pierre Strydom will be back in the saddle, aiming to guide the star gelding to victory in what could be a historic moment for both horse and rider.
Oriental Charm is known for his bold front-running style—he likes to take the lead early and dictate the pace. This tactic paid off in the 2024 Durban July, where he carried a light weight of 53kg and held on for the win. However, this year he’ll shoulder a much heavier 60kg, making his task significantly tougher. While his natural speed and tenacity will keep him competitive, the weight increase and stronger field may prevent a repeat victory. Still, he’s a solid contender for a place finish, especially if he gets his own way in front.
Handicap Betting on the Durban July
Handicap is a popular betting type among horse racing bettors, particularly during the Durban July. We tested this type of bet during one Durban July edition and found it easy to understand.
To start with, this type of bet enables horses of different forms to race competitively against one another. Simply enough, they are allocated weights to level the playing field.
The better the horse, the more weight it will carry. How much weight should be assigned to each horse is determined by their handicap ratings. In turn, they are based on their previous performances.
Thus, the weight the horse carries will impact its gallop speed, and the odds will be provided accordingly. Because of this, several horses can get equal odds.
So, you need to do thorough betting research to make an informed selection. You should consider a horse’s previous Handicap runs, rating, how good a jockey and a trainer are, etc.
Finally, you should research their previous performances and other relevant details to make an informed Durban July Handicap wager.
Durban July Favourites
Runners haven’t been confirmed yet but will be announced on Tuesday, 24 June. However, we know for certain that this event is only for the top horses in South Africa.
Our research team also discovered horse sports blogs, racing analyses, and tips on the website. So, punters can extract plenty of valuable details to make more informed Hollywoodbets Durban July predictions.
Best Sites to Bet on the Durban July
Apart from Hollywoodbets, several other bookies offer a variety of Durban July betting possibilities. Hopefully, our investigations allow you to make an informed choice about where to bet on Hollywoodbets Durban July 2025.
To begin with, there is Fafabet, the sportsbook with some of the most competitive Durban July betting odds. It also features a page with the race results punters can use when planning their bets.
If you are looking for Tote betting, Betway is a great website. Like World Sports Betting, it enables you to place ante-post bets on the Durban July Handicap.
At Betfred, you can select a wide range of bet types, like Win, Place, Show, and Exacta. It covers races from Greyville, Kenilworth, Fairview, and other racetracks in South Africa.
To learn more about the best horse racing betting sites, check out our dedicated guide.
Best Offers to Bet on the Durban July
Our expert team has reviewed various sites and found the ones with the top horse racing offers for punters.
First on the list is Betfred. It features Racing Happy Hour (odds boosts on races between 11:00 and 12:00), Extra Place, and Runner-Up Refund. Occasionally, the bookie may offer a Favourite vs Field offer on some races.
Betway has a unique offer for horse racing bettors. It may pay your winning tax at its discretion, so the 6% won’t be deducted from your return. You can also claim Win Boost and potentially receive a 300% boost on your successful multi-bets.
Lastly, Hollywoodbets features the Punters’ Challenge, covering race meetings in South Africa. You can potentially get more than R1M for tipping all the winners on the card. Or, you can receive a share of R10,000 if you place in the top 20 on a daily leaderboard.
Although the analysis we made hasn’t revealed any exclusive Durban July offers, the operators will probably introduce them as the competition draws nearer.
Hollywoodbets and the Durban July Race
Hollywoodbets is not only the sponsor of the 2024 Durban July but also one of the top bookmakers to bet on horse races. It features competitive odds, ante-post betting, live streams of races, and more.
Our research team also discovered horse sports blogs, racing analyses, and tips on the website. So, punters can extract plenty of valuable details to make more informed Hollywoodbets Durban July predictions.
What the Stats Say
When it comes to picking a winner for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, history reveals some valuable patterns.
Most recent winners have been 3- or 4-year-old Thoroughbreds, with 3-year-olds enjoying a weight advantage under the handicap format, making them strong betting prospects. For example, both Do It Again (2018) and El Picha (1999) won their first Durban July as 3-year-olds.
In terms of trainers, Sydney C. Laird remains the most successful with 7 wins, but in modern times, Justin Snaith and Sean Tarry dominate, each producing multiple winners over the last decade. Horses from these stables consistently finish in the top five.
Jockeys also matter—names like Anton Marcus and Richard Fourie have proven track records. Fourie, in particular, is in top form with multiple Grade 1 wins in recent seasons.
Look for horses with proven form at Greyville, strong prep runs in the Daily News 2000 or WSB 1900, and who come from leading stables with experienced riders. These are your most statistically backed contenders.
Our Durban July Betting Tips
Before you place a wager on the event, consider these Durban July betting tips:
- Understand how the races work.
- Choose a familiar bet type.
- Examine and compare the Durban July betting odds.
- Consider other predictions (like Trifecta Horse Racing Bet) and sports news.
- If your horse is not in the best form, back another.
- If you place a live bet, cash out wisely.
- Potentially claim horse racing offers.
Finally, remember to follow responsible betting practices during the Durban July Handicap. This also includes managing your bankroll wisely.
