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Final field for the Hollywoodbets Durban July unveiled at prestigious event.
Picture: Supplied
A nationally representative field will line up on Saturday 5 July for the 129th renewal of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July, with the 2024 defending champion Oriental Charm jumping from the pole position gate.
That was the news to emerge on Tuesday when the capacity field for the 2025 running, sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by Hollywoodbets, was proudly unveiled by RaceCoast at Hollywoodbets Greyville, the historic home of Africa’s Greatest Horse Racing and Social Event.
History could be made for champion jockey
Defending champion Oriental Charm, now in the sole care of James Crawford, who will be saddling his first July runners for his own account, heads the weights, carrying 60kg alongside two high-class hometown challengers in See It Again and Gladatorian.
South African champion trainer Justin Snaith has three runners in his bid for his sixth Hollywoodbets Durban July victory. The Snaith attack is headed by the champion 3yo Eight On Eighteen, whose participation in the great race has been a talking point for two months.
ALSO READ: Eight On Eighteen in the final 18: Field and draws for Durban July unveiled
Record breaking SA Champion jockey Richard Fourie will partner Eight On Eighteen and bids for his personal fourth trophy in the 2200m contest.
Chasing glory: Trainers ready to make history
While the iconic Syd Laird leads the honour boards with 7 Durban July winners, Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock (in partnership with son Mathew), are both in line for a sixth trophy, which would place them in the heady realm of the late great Terrance Millard.
Former dual SA champion jockey Warren Kennedy returns from New Zealand to ride Highveld raider Confederate for Fabian Habib.
Candice Bass-Robinson, who became the first lady trainer to lift a July trophy when Marinaresco won in 2017, enjoys the honour of saddling the only filly in the field, in Rainbow Lorikeet.
As anticipation builds for Africa’s greatest horse racing event, the announcement of the final field marks a key milestone in the countdown to the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Tickets for the event are available from Ticketpro and Payzone Kiosks at SPAR stores nationwide.
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