The 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July is set to be a thrilling spectacle, and at the centre of all the excitement is Eight on Eighteen, the undisputed favourite. With a perfect blend of pedigree, jockey expertise, and a remarkable racing record, this talented colt is poised to etch his name in the annals of South African racing history.
Pedigree & Trainer
Eight on Eighteen boasts a lineage that any racehorse would envy. Sired by Triple Crown winner Lightning Strike, who claimed victory in the 2020 Durban July. Eight on Eighteen inherits exceptional speed and stamina. His dam, Golden Grace, has produced multiple stakes winners, including last year’s SA Oaks champion, Graceful Dancer. This combination of speed from his sire and endurance from his dam makes him a formidable contender over the 2200m distance.
The renowned Justin Snaith trains the colt. He is a leading figure in South African horse racing and is currently well ahead on the SA Champion trainer log. Snaith is bidding for his sixth Durban July trophy. With victories alongside horses like Belgarion in 2020 and the iconic Do It Again in 2018 and 2019. Eight On Eighteen’s pedigree and training under Snaith’s expert guidance have positioned him as the top contender for the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Jockey
Champion jockey Richard Fourie has been the regular rider for Eight on Eighteen in his most significant engagements. Fourie, a rider with over 2,600 career victories, including 59 at the elite Grade 1 level, brings a wealth of experience to the partnership.
His association with trainer Justin Snaith has been particularly fruitful. Yielding numerous major victories over the years, including 29 Grade 1 wins together. This established synergy between jockey and trainer extends to Eight on Eighteen, with Fourie often expressing his confidence in the colt’s abilities, noting his professionalism and powerful response in races.
Greatest Achievements and Victories
Eight On Eighteen boasts an impressive race record with nine starts, achieving four wins and five placings. Notably, he has won two prestigious Grade 1 races in 2025: the Cape Town Met and the SplashOut Cape Derby. These victories underscore his quality and ability to perform at the highest level in South African racing.
Eight on Eighteen’s career to date has been characterised by consistency and high achievement. From ten starts, he has recorded five victories and five placings. Meaning he has finished in the first three in every race he has contested. This 100% placement rate underscores his reliability and competitive spirit.
His victories have come over distances ranging from 1200m to 2000m. He has a particular aptitude for middle-distance events, where three of his wins, all at Grade 1 level, have been recorded. These performances have amassed total stakes earnings of R6,030,213.
Currently, Eight On Eighteen tops the Hollywoodbets Durban July Log and is the red-hot ante-post favourite for the 2025 race. His consistent form and top performances have made him the standout contender.