Durban July Review: A whacky raceday that deserves a visit

After two days of getting up at stupid o’clock to meet the trainers, witness the gallops, and enjoy the spectacular scenery at Summerveld Training Centre (possibly the ninth wonder of the World), race day is upon us, and I settled in at the media centre awaiting the first of 12 races.  

As I like to embarrass British racing with their exorbitant course prices, my first port of call as always is the food and drink outlets (who would have guessed) to get a comparison (that’s my story and I am sticking to it) and suffice to say I am not losing any weight.

I could go through a whole menu (but won’t), but I did partake (purely for research purposes), in some mutton curry and rice (£4.50) and 6 samosas (£2), all washed down with a large beer (£1.50), so a full meal for £8.00 – less than the price of a pint at home!

Entry to the course costs less than a tenner (and remember, this is the biggest race day of the year so we are talking their version of Royal Ascot or Glorious Goodwood), and a race card will set you back £1.50 – good value even if you take into account the different costs of living, though I have to admit the queue for hot dogs (£2) was the longest all day.

The Track

On to the track and it is a busy place to be (same as home to be fair), but well signposted and with more toilets than last year (a major positive).

Cleaned up by new owners with new lighting, an enhanced parade ring and more hospitality options, the sun was shining, the fashionistas were out in force, and there was a party atmosphere that was almost contagious before the first race – and it’s going to get wilder!

I have never claimed to know the South African form (as you can imagine, the UK keeps me busy enough), and as those who read the preview will know, I relied on the far more knowledgeable Justin Snaith for my suggestions, but as I am writing this as the day goes on, I still don’t know if he was right or wrong.

I didn’t cover the first few races for that reason, but I do feel the need to add that any success here is celebrated as it should be – having a winner on this day is akin to victory at any of the major Festivals as far as their owners are concerned and I see that as a massive positive for the sport and a good thing to witness.

Fashion & Bookmakers

Enjoying all the fashion (I am a jeans and polo shirt kind of guy so I can’t pretend I understand it), it was certainly more colourful than anything you ever see at home, and equally importantly extremely popular.

I have zero favouritism towards one bookmaker or another, but I do have to say the entire day feels invigorated since Hollywood Bets took over.

Big crowds are one thing, but these guys had eagerly bought into the whole concept, we had more bars, more food trucks, more models, and more members of the public dressing to the nines, hence my need to share a few photos as even I cannot find the words to describe the insanity of some of the outfits.

Racing Action

On to the racing and those who read the preview will have seen three suggestions – and we started with the obligatory second place as he was beaten a length by rank outsider Chronicle King – possibly the story of my life!

Seriously though, it boded well for the big one with an early Snaith second, so we trooped out in anticipation, went up to the media room, and stood for the South African National Anthem after the horses went down to the start.

With a Cheltenham-like roar, the race was off, and with a lack of early pace, there were no excuses, and as they turned into the short home straight, the jockeys made their moves to mount a challenge.  

Some of us started counting our winnings a long way out as Eight On Eighteen loomed up ominously to go and win his race, but just like the race before, we had to settle for second.

Runners

Dean Kannemeyer is a trainer of high repute over here and rightly so having won many of the top races including the Durban July four times before, and he did it again with one of the trainer performances of the decade with The Real Prince.

Remembering this race was over eleven furlongs, the son of Gimmethegreenlight had last been seen winning over seven furlongs, though he had already scored over a mile.

Despite some telling me Greyville is an easy track, an added three furlongs in the toughest race of the season was expected to ask plenty of questions, as was his breeding (he is a full-brother to Gimme A Prince who won three races over five and six furlongs).

I don’t think anyone was ever questioning his speed, or his will to win, but the way he battled to catch Eight On Eighteen late on and then get back once more after being passed again close home, shows a lot more stamina than he was entitled to give.

There was only a neck at the line as Craig Zackey got the better of Richard Fourie in the finish, and I have to say I do wonder if my selection felt he had done enough when he got to the front the first time, but that may be sour grapes on my behalf.

More Racing Action…

With five races left to go, I only had an interest in one of them, and I was fairly confident that Double Grand Slam would finish second like the rest of them, but no – we finally had a winner, though the odds were nothing to brag about.

Sent off at the ludicrous odds of 2.05/1 (sorry everyone), the four-year-old filly was one of the easiest winners on the card, with jockey Andrew Fortune punching the air in delight well before the line, and if you backed all three selections to level stakes – you walked away with the smallest of profits – but NOT a loss! 

Races 9-12 weren’t of any real interest to me but race 13 most certainly was – I mean who doesn’t cheer on a racing journalist friend dressed as Barney the Dinosaur in a race that used to see plenty of nude drunks running down the straight (mostly men), is no longer a “handicap” with fully clothed or mascots also allowed – more of an Open event I suppose.

No odds were available, and my good mate Andrew Hawkins admits he would have been an outsider regardless, but it was good fun watching him enjoying himself even if I was roped in to run beside hm shouting encouragement down the final 100 metres of the home straight while whipping up the crowd for a loud chorus of “Barney, Barney” all the way home!

Conclusions

I first came to the Durban July as a “one-off” about 11 years ago – and have only missed out once since (double booked).

It isn’t cheap to get here but after you arrive, food and drink is very affordable and the locals will make you feel welcome.

The racing is competitive and the course clean and spacious, while the fashion has to be seen to be believed.

It’s no Breeders’ Cup or Arc de Triomphe, and I won’t pretend it is, but if you are ever planning a tour of World racing, the Durban July firmly deserves its place on your shortlist and I will 100% be back – if they will have me of course.      

By Sean Trivass