The Real Prince wins the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville Racecourse on July 5 this year. Picture: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images When five-year-old horse Campanajo won what is now known as the first Durban July, in 1897, the big-race purse was 500 “sovereigns” (about £500 at the time – and R1,000 at the time of South Africa’s conversion from sterling to rands in 1961). Campanajo’s co-owners, Messrs Molyneaux and Murray, banked about £400.
When the great race is contested for the 130th time at Greyville in 2026, the prize money on offer will be R10-million – up from 2025’s R5-million after race sponsor/owner Hollywoodbets doubled its backing at the weekend. How times and economy have changed is further illustrated by the July’s first cash patronage, by British tobacco firm Rothmans, which revolutionised local racing stake money with its R30,000 sponsorship of the 1963 July Handicap – won by the legendary Colorado King. The new Hollywoodbets July purse easily eclipses the R6-million of the current “richest race in Africa”, the Betway Summer Cup, which was run at Turfffontein in Joburg recently.
When Hollywoodbets announced its latest move at Friday evening’s twilight meeting at Greyville, it lauded “the historic and time-honoured” event as a “compelling blend of sport, style and celebration”, and harped on the cliche of racing’s association with fashionable clothing. True racing people will have been more interested in another bombshell announcement on the night: that the July’s handicap system was being tweaked! “In 2026, the year-on-year 100% boost in stakes money will be celebrated with a bold return to its true handicap heritage, reintroducing a more ‘open handicap’ designed to boost competitiveness and elevate the spectacle for racing fans and casual viewers alike,” read the media release.
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It continued: “In handicap horse racing, weights are adjusted according to each horse’s rating, age and sex to level the playing field, thus helping to deliver the kind of edge-of-your-seat finish that has built the July’s legend. “Key changes for 2026 include a return to a wider weight spread across the field: • Bottom weight has been reduced from 53kg to 52kg.• Top weight increased from 60kg to 62kg. “Restoring a full 10kg spread in the range of weights means the race boasts the hallmark of a true, open handicap.
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