By BAKANG MOKOTO
6 December 2025- 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. This comes after the revamped handicaps honour the iconic event’s 130 year-old roots and give more horses better chances to win.
Unveiling the new record stakes at the “July in Christmas” event at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 5 December, the Group’s Brand and Communications Manager, Devin Heffer announced that next year’s 130th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July will return the race to its traditional true handicap roots. Heffer said the winner’s prize will double to R6 million and the rest of the prize money on 4 July 2026, will be shared among the next 11 finishers, rather than the nine of previous years.
“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. 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 said.
Heffer further said this is the race that belongs to Mzansi and the true handicap will add hugely to its excitement. He added that 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.
Heffer said 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. 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,” said Heffer.
The Guardian 