Africa’s richest race: Hollywoodbets Durban July doubles prize money to R10m
Revamped handicaps honour iconic event’s 130-year-old roots and give more horses better chances to win
Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event is now the continent’s richest horse race with the announcement that the prize money for the Hollywoodbets Durban July will double to R10 million in 2026.
The winner’s prize will double to R6 million, and the rest of the prize monies on Saturday 4 July 2026 will be shared among the next 11 finishers, rather than the nine of previous years.
Unveiling the new record stakes at the “July in Christmas” event at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Friday 5 December, the group’s brand and communications manager Devin Heffer, also announced that next year’s 130th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July will return the race to its traditional true handicap roots.
“Weights are allocated in handicap races which enable horses of varied ability to race competitively against each other. Taking into account the variables of age and sex, the fundamental is that the higher a horse’s official merit rating, the more weight that horse will carry. This opens the Hollywoodbets Durban July to a wider competitive spectrum of owners and horses. And by reducing the lightest weight horses carry – that is from 54kgs to 52kgs – and increasing the heaviest weight, we’re levelling the playing field and honouring the true handicap heritage of a race that was first run in 1897,” he says.
“This is the race that belongs to Mzansi, and the true handicap will add hugely to its excitement. It gives punters more chances to win, and it means that even long-shot horses have a real chance of glory in a race that is the pinnacle achievement of every owner, trainer, breeder, jockey and groom in South Africa.”
Growing prestige and popularity
Hollywoodbets took over sponsorship of the Durban July in 2022, when it raised the stakes from R2 million to R5 million. “Every year since, the July meeting has been bigger and better, and we decided the prize money should match the growing prestige and popularity of the feature race,” says Heffer.
“The whole country comes to a standstill for the two minutes of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and doubling the stakes is part of our mission to return South African horse racing to its glory days.”
The greater betting opportunities from the more open handicap, as well as the chance for rank outsiders to win, will make next year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July a race no one will want to miss.
“This is the biggest day of the year for Hollywoodbets, with record audiences online and in our 90 bricks and mortar stores throughout the country,” he says.
“In 2025, the Hollywoodbets Durban July added an estimated R840 million to Durban’s gross domestic product, and we expect the 2026 changes to significantly increase that total.”
Big opportunity for punters
Heffer says handicap races adjust the weight each horse carries according to its rating, age and sex, with the aim of giving every runner a fair chance. In 2025, only 7kg separated the bottom and top weights in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but next year this will increase to 10kg.
“The bottom weight will be reduced by 1kg to 52kg and the top weight will increase by 2kg to 62kg,” he says. “This wider spread means there is a big opportunity for punters to look for the best weighted horse, offering the best value in the race.”
The doubled stakes, deeper prize pool and restored handicap format are expected to intensify competition between racehorse owners for one of the coveted 18 places in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, says Heffer.
A five-person national panel of racing experts will select the final field (and two reserves) based on a combination of horses’ performance in qualifying races and merit ratings.
“The first Saturday in July is the biggest day on South Africa’s horse racing calendar. It’s a wonderful social occasion and an opportunity for fashionistas to strut their stuff,” says Heffer.
“By doubling the stakes and restoring the true handicap format, we’re investing in the future of South African racing. These changes will benefit everyone – from owners and trainers to jockeys and grooms, as well as the millions of racegoers who make the Hollywoodbets Durban July the race that stops the nation.”
For more information, visit https://www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za/