The Durban July is one of the largest and most prestigious thoroughbred horse-racing events in Africa. This popular event first took place in 1897 and has a history rich in tradition and esteem. The Durban July is held on the first Saturday of July every year at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal and hosts some of the finest horses, jockeys and trainers in the country. The Durban July is a firm favourite in the betting mans calendar and in 2014 had a purse of over R3.5 million, the highest purse to date. Over 50,000 people attend the races, with some placing bets and others just there for the party.
Durban July Betting
Only four horses have ever won the Durban July 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. The most wins by a single jockey at the Durban July is a title held by three jockeys, namely Harold “Tiger” Wright, Anton Marcus and most recently Anthony Delpech who all won the Durban July four times each. The perfect age of a horse to win has never been deduced however four year old horses seem to be the strongest and bets are often placed on these, accounting for 42 of the winners in history. Read more interesting facts such as these in our article, Facts about betting at the Durban July.
So how will you know which horse to place your bets on? One way to do this is to look at the winners over the last few years as well as winners of events earlier in the Champions Season. This season starts in late April or early May and is usually a great indicator to bettors of who will win in July. Betting on these horses is therefore a slightly more calculated risk.
For arguments sake let’s have a look at the winners of the last five years:
2015– Power King trained buy Dean Kannemeyer cause an upset in the 2015 race by claiming the title from some of the betting favorites, including Legal Eagle and Futura. Power King was a betting outsider at 28/1, but won a tight finish, despite some bumping and an objection. After a 30 minute delay Power King was confirmed the winning.
2014 – Legislate – a powerful colt who won the G2 KRA Guineas in early May 2014 and then again raced to victory in the prestigious G1 Daily News 2000 at the end of May, was therefore a firm favorite with betting enthusiasts. Although given a tough challenge by Wylie Hall, Legislate was ultimately declared the winner of the Vodacom Durban July 2014.
2013 – Heavy Metal – this winner caused quite an upset for bettors, as a 16-1 outsider. Journalists and punters believe that if Vercongetorix had not had a slight injury making the colt unfit to race, had in fact raced the outcome would have been very different. Vercongetorix had an impeccable Champions Season and was a firm favourite for bettors of that year.
2012 – Pomodoro – this horse had to fight hard to grab a short head win on the line. However at the Daily News 2000 earlier in the season, what really caught bettors and journalists eyes was how he quickened at the finish, often a vital characteristic for winners of the Durban July.
2011 – Igugu – Igugu rose to the occasion earlier in the Champions Season by winning the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 in early June, thus making this horse a firm favourite for the betting public.
Have a look at our 5 horses to bet on at the Vodacom Durban July 2016 for our betting favourites. .
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
