Whether you’re a horseracing fanatic, a betting enthusiast, or you have never watched a race in your life, chances are you have heard of the Vodacom Durban July, one of Africa’s most popular and prestigious horseracing events. Below we highlight some interesting facts about the Durban July.
Durban July Betting Facts
We have gathered a few interesting facts about the races here, which have often influenced bettors and their betting strategies;
- There are only four horses that have ever won the Durban July Handicap back to back. These were Campanajo in 1897 and 1898, Corriecrian in 1907 and 1908, Milesia Pride in 1949 and 1950 and El Picha in 1999 and 2000. Making this correlation a rare one for the betting person.
- The shortest priced winning favourite in the history of the Durban July was the famous Sea Cottage in 1967. He started at betting odds of 11 to 10 when getting up on the line to dead heat with Jollify. The longest priced favourite to win the Vodacom Durban July is a title held by Power King in 2015, who came in as an outsider at betting odds of 28-1.
- Goldier has the record for most runs in the Vodacom Durban July competing 5 times. After running in 1983, 1984, he took the title in 1985 as a 5 year old. He ran the following two years but was unable to repeat his victory.
- In the last 20 years 60% of the wins have come from 3 year old horses.
- The current field size for the main event is 20, but in 1917 a record 33 horse ran the race. The smallest field was in 1908 with just seven horses.
- In 1960 a week before the Durban July, Springbok left wing, Hennie van Zyl, scored both tries in an international rugby match wearing the number 13 jersey and the team went on to win the match 13 nil. A week later a horse aptly called Left Wing, wearing the number 13 saddlecloth, went on to win the Durban July Handicap of that year. Those that bet on this horse reaped the rewards of a bit of anti-superstition betting.
- In 2004 South Africa celebrated 10 years of democracy. To honour this occasion any horse wearing the number 10 saddlecloth in any race managed by Golden Circle for that year, had to carry a South African flag along with the number 10 on their saddlecloth. The Vodacom Durban July of that year was won by a horse carrying the number 10 saddlecloth, Greys Inn. A betting outcome for the history books!
- There have only been two dead heats in the history of the Vodacom Durban July. In 1967 and in 2008, causing an upset for those that bet on these horses.
If you are feeling lucky, read our 2016 Vodacom Durban July Betting Favourites and current betting odds.
Read More: History of betting at the Durban July
For the latest betting odds for this years Vodacom Durban July or to place your bets on some of this years favourites, go to Betxchange.com
Officially known as the Vodacom Durban July Handicap, this horseracing event is where South African thoroughbred horses, their jockeys, owners, breeders, trainers and groomers culminate together with betting enthusiasts watching from all over the world, to ultimately win the Vodacom Durban July Winners title. This event is steeped in history and much research is done every year by bettors and journalists to discover which horse will really take the title.
