The greatest race in Africa will see 18 of the finest thoroughbreds in South Africa race from the 2200 metre mark at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse for a purse of R5million. On Friday 25 April, the first entries were announced, and 61 superstars were seen on the entry list. The race will be the 129th renewal and will take place on Saturday, 5 July. An estimated 60,000 people will be in attendance to witness this spectacle.
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Below you can find the entries for the Final Field (Grade 1):
| Horse | Odds From Hollywoodbets | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN | 2.4 | J Snaith |
| ORIENTAL CHARM | 7.0 | J Crawford |
| IMMEDIATE EDGE | 8.0 | M/M de Kock |
| ON MY HONOUR | 15.0 | G Kotzen |
| THE REAL PRINCE | 13.5 | D Kannemeyer |
| SELUKWE | 17.0 | A Nel |
| GLADATORIAN | 17.0 | S Ferrie |
| ROYAL VICTORY | 21.0 | N Kotzen |
| OKAVANGO | 21.0 | J Snaith |
| CONFEDERATE | 26.0 | F Habib |
| ATTICUS FINCH | 26.0 | A Laird |
| MADISON VALLEY | 34.0 | F Robinson |
| MY BEST SHOT | 34.0 | A Greeff |
| NATIVE RULER | 34.0 | J Snaith |
| LITIGATION | 34.0 | S Tarry |
| POMODORO’S JET | 51.0 | J Crawford |
| PURPLE PITCHER | 51.0 | R Klaasen |
| RAINBOW LORIKEET | 51.0 | C Bass-Robinson |
| SEE IT AGAIN | N/A | M Roberts |
Who to Look Out For
Eight On Eighteen
This exciting 3-year-old colt has done nothing wrong in his career thus far, winning four of his nine starts and placing in five. He has won the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met and won the Splash Out Cape Derby, and he will head to the big day as one of the favourites.
Oriental Charm
The winner of last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July won a fantastic race, he led the race from start to finish, keeping all challengers at bay, he ran a very close second in this year’s World Sports Betting Cape Town Met and if he is able to repeat his good run of form over this distance, he will be right there again.
Immediate Charm
Immediate Edge, a relatively unexposed three-year-old stallion under the guidance of trainers Mike and Matthew de Kock, will carry 53 kilograms in the upcoming 2025 Durban July. With jockey Callan Murray in the saddle, this promising competitor has secured four victories this season, primarily at the Turffontein racecourse, and currently stands as a formidable challenger with betting odds of 7/1. While some analysts question his adaptability to coastal conditions, his recent track record and endorsement from racing experts suggest he has significant potential to make a notable impact in this prestigious R5 million Grade 1 competition.
See It Again
See It Again is a multiple Grade 1 winning horse and has had great success in the Hollywoodbets Durban July placing second in 2023 and placing fifth in 2024, this horse knows how to show up for the big occasions and come the big race this year, he is sure to be right there again. Unfortunately, See It Again has been scratched from the race due to an abnormal blood count.
BONUS CODE
Where is the Early Money?
At this early stage the ante-post favourite is currently Eight On Eighteen at odds of 4/1, with everything he has already achieved this season, it will be no surprise to see him win this race with ease, Oriental Charm, last years winner is currently the second favourite at odds of 7/1, he has proven to be a fantastic racehorse, his trainers Brett Crawford and James will be trying to win the Durban July for a third time in a row. See It Again, is always in with a shout in every race he runs, and at this early stage he must be considered as one of the livewires for Africa’s greatest race at odds of 8/1.
With just under two months to go to greatest race in Africa, there are many horses that still have chances to enter the mix as the potential dark horses for the race and come the announcement of the final field on the 24 June 2025, we will be able to have a clearer picture of how the race may unfold.
Find out more about our Durban July predictions in our dedicated article.
Note: odds correct at time of writing.