The organizers of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, one of Africa’s premier horse-racing events held at the Greyville Racecourse, will have an attendance of approximately 50,000 people.
This year, the event will feature 29 Very Important People (VIP) marquees, each offering unique entertainment. Influencers, celebrities, and South Africa’s elite showcased their interpretations of this year’s theme: Marvels of Mzansi.
Hollywoodbets Race Highlights
The highlight of the day, Race Seven, where South Africa’s top middle-distance horses will compete for a share price of R5 million in the 2200-meter race.
Despite the rainy and cold weather, Stephen Marshall from Race Coast Events and Marketing assures that the mood remained upbeat. He commented on last year’s winner, Oriental Charm:
“He is back again, having drawn the first position, and has everything in his favor. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins again. However, there’s also a strong contender, a one-year-old favorite drawing position 8 on 18, carrying 57 KGs—an unprecedented weight in this race. While he’s expected to perform well, I believe Oriental Charm could take the win.”
The eThekwini Metro Police have implemented extensive road closures around the Greyville Racecourse to manage the expected high traffic volume.
Metro Police spokesperson Boysie Zungu stated:
“We will have enough officers on the ground to ensure safety in the Greyville area. Only two roads will be affected: Avondale Road and DLI Street. All other intersections will be monitored by officers. Additionally, we will conduct roadblocks at night to prevent drunk driving.”
The Hollywoodbets Durban July promises to be an exciting day filled with thrilling races and vibrant entertainment, despite the weather conditions.
In preparation of the upcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July this weekend, multidisciplinary teams from the City were hard at work cleaning up the precinct around the racecourse. This included cutting grass and pruning trees as well as street sweeping. Teams consisted of officials… pic.twitter.com/J0hvz85US6
— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) July 4, 2025
