2026 Durban July Handicap Tips, Odds and News
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| Date | Saturday July 3, 2027 |
| Track | Greyville |
| Distance | 2200m |
| Class | Group 1 |
| Race Type | Handicap |
| Prize money | R10 million |
| Age | 3YO+ |
The Durban July continues to grow in stature. A cash injection from racesponsors Hollywoodbets has seen the prize pot soar up to a massive R10m in 2026, making it one of the richest handicaps held in all of horse racing.
2027 Durban July Betting Tips
We'll publish a range of betting tips for the Durban July during the build up to the big race. All article can be found in the news section at the head of this page.
Durban July Betting Card
There are 12 races on the card at Greyville, which gives punters plenty to bet on throughout the day in July.
| Race |
|---|
| R84 Handicap |
| Mumm Stakes |
| Grade 3 Handicap |
| Gold Vase |
| Golden Slipper |
| Golden Horseshoe |
| Durban July Handicap |
| Mr 104 Handicap |
| Yearling Sale Million |
| Garden Province Stakes |
| Ethekwini Sprint |
| Listed Handicap |
Durban July Handicap history
The first running of the July Handicap was in 1897 and it is commonly held on the first Saturday of July.
The Durban July Handicap is raced on turf and is South Africa's best thoroughbred horse race.
It was originally run over 1600m but was changed to 2200m in 1970 when Court Day took out the Group 1 prize for connections.
Trainer Mike de Kock, who trained champion sprinter Rocket Man, has had good success in the July Handicap with four winners.
De Kock trained Ipi Tombe, Greys Inn and Igugu. The South African-born trainer doesn't hold the record for most wins, however, with Sydney C. Laird winning seven times.
Terence M. Millard trainer six winners in eight years during the 1980's and 1990's.
Four jockeys have scored multiple wins in the race but Piere Strydom has had the most recent success, winning in 2016 with The Conglomerate for Australian-born trainer Joey Ramsden.
International success came with Colorado King winning in 1963. It would later win the Hollywood Gold Cup and set a world record for 1800m when winning the American Handicap.
Durban July Handicap betting guide
Three-year-old runners have a great success rate in the Durban July Handicap.
60 percent of races run since 1998 have been won by three-year-olds and four-year-old runners are also worth noting.
Favourites haven't fared well in recent times for various reasons.
Only three favourites have won in the last 13 years and there has never been an odds-on winner of the Durban July Handicap, with the shortest-priced winner, Sea Cottage, paying 11/10 ($2.10) with bookmakers.
There have been four back-to-back winners which is a good betting trends for punters to take note of.
Wide draws haven't helped in the past but there has been some recent winners drawing out wide.
Bookmakers always offer a wide-open betting field and that allows punters to lock up great each way value.
Durban July Handicap qualifying races
There are 10 automatic qualifying races for the Durban July Handicap and four races where the winner receives preferential consideration.
- The L’Ormarins Queens Plate 6.
- The SA Derby
- The SunMet
- Premier’s Champions Challenge
- The Investec Cape Derby
- Daily News 2000
- The SA Classic
- Woolavington 2000
- The SA Fillies Classic
- Rising Sun Gold Challenge
Durban July Handicap past winners list
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Note To Self |
| 2025 | The Real Prince |
| 2024 | Oriental Charm |
| 2023 | Winchester Mansion |
| 2022 | Sparking Water |
| 2021 | Kommetdieding |
| 2020 | Belgarion |
| 2019 | Do It Again |
| 2018 | Do It Again |
| 2017 | Marinaresco |
| 2016 | The Conglomerate |
| 2015 | Power King |
| 2014 | Legislate |
| 2013 | Heavy Metal |
| 2012 | Pomodoro |
| 2011 | Igugu |
| 2010 | Bold Silvano |
| 2009 | Big City Life |
| 2008 | Pocket Power/Dancers Daughter |
| 2007 | Hunting Tower |
| 2006 | Eyeofthetiger |
| 2005 | Dunford |
| 2004 | Greys Inn |
| 2003 | Dynasty |
| 2002 | Ipi Tombe |
| 2001 | Trademark |
| 2000 | El Picha |
| 1999 | El Picha |
| 1998 | Classic Flag |
| 1997 | Super Quality |
| 1996 | London News |
| 1995 | Teal |
| 1994 | Space Walk |
| 1993 | Dancing Duel |
| 1992 | Spanish Galliard |
| 1991 | Flaming Rock |
| 1990 | Illustrador |
| 1989 | Right Prerogative |
| 1988 | Royal Chalice |
