The Vodacom Durban July 2022 is now the biggest and richest race in Africa, thanks to the new Durban July sponsor, Hollywoodbets, who have increased the prize pool to a massive R5 Million. The 2022 edition promises all the action and drama of a major horse racing meet, and we’ll be covering all the event information below, including bettings odds, the Durban July 2022 theme and more.
Race betting is now available for the 2022 Durban July. KOMMETDIEDING unsurprisingly topped the betting boards at first show following his win in the Met. While KOMMETDIEDING is rightly the early favourite in the ante-post betting for the 2022 Durban July, there are other horses knocking around who potentially offer a bit of value. LINEBACKER could be had at 6/1 on first show while the likes of DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE, GOT THE GREENLIGHT, JET DARK and DO IT AGAIN could be found at double-digit prices.
Durban July 2022 Latest Betting Odds
Durban July 2022 Final Field
More about the Durban July 2022
The Durban July Handicap is a South African Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first Saturday of July since 1897 at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Raced on turf, the Durban July Handicap is open to horses of all ages. It is South Africa’s premier horse racing event and currently offers a purse of R4.25 million.
The purse was reduced to R1.5 million in 2020 due to stake reductions caused by COVID-19. The 2021 edition has been increased to R2 million. First held in July 1897 at a distance of 1 mile (approx 1600m), the distance was modified several times until 1970 when it was changed to its current 2200 meters (11 furlongs).
Durban July 2022 Theme
The official theme for the Hollywoodbets Durban July 2022 is show me the honey, which is all about flowers, pollen, honey and bees.
The release of a vibrant “Show Me The Honey” theme for the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday 2 July has started creating a buzz in fashion and social circles as Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event plans to welcome fans back to the 126th running of the iconic horse race.
The theme, which governs the extensive fashion programme and hospitality at the event is the work of veteran event marketer Ken Tweddell and aims to draw contemporary influences into the race every year.
“When conceptualizing the annual theme for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the intention is always to provide a varied and challenging subject to inspire fashionistas when creating their raceday ensembles,” said Tweddell. “There are many subjects related to bees that designers can focus on in their creative process.” He expanded. “The very obvious is the flowers that provide the nectar and pollen that bees collect for food and to produce honey.
“Designers should do some research on bees in general and bees as pollinators, to gain some knowledge of this fascinating and critically endangered insect. “They should also consider the less obvious that might just make their creation stand out from the rest,” he advised.
“Besides the types of flowers and bouquets that are used to decorate homes and offices, designers should also consider the vast spectrum of flowers that burst forth on the trees that produce fruit and nuts in orchards and in the wild. All these flowers need to be pollinated, mainly by bees, before they will produce fruit.”
With the fashion programme kicking off with the vibrant Hollywoodbets Young Designer Award, Tweddell said the theme offered a multitude of creative and technical cues.
“Look at the theme from different angles and perhaps take a cue from the translucence of bees’ wings which are made up of panels strengthened by seams,” he said. “Examine a bee closely and notice the fluffy fur-like parts that enable the bee to carry pollen and nectar to the hive. Take a cue from the stripes on a bee’s body – paint them your own colour. “For a different perspective, change the saying, “Dripping in honey!” to “Dripping in jewellery!” he suggested.
Bees store their honey in honeycomb which is a structure made by the bees of six-sided (hexagonal) tubes constructed of bees wax. Perhaps consider the strength of this structure in your design. Bees work as a team to make honey and also to protect the queen bee and the hive. Similarly, teamwork should be strong between the designer, the make-up artist and the model who will be wearing the creation.
Durban July 2022 Key Facts
Only five horses have ever won the Durban July Handicap back-to-back.
- Campanajo (1897, 1898)
- Corriecrian (1907, 1908)
- Milesia Pride (1949, 1950)
- El Picha (1999, 2000)
- Do It Again (2018, 2019)
HollywoodBets Durban July 2022 Live Stream
- Sign up or log into your Hollywoodbets account
- Click on Horse Racing on the menu
- Select “Watch Now!” to stream the Durban July
- You’ll then be redirected to the GallopTV website
- Select “Hollywoodbets Durban July 2022 Feed” to watch the race
Durban July 2022 Betting Tips
We spoke to Tim from Pocket the Winner for some Durban July 2022 Betting Tips, and he provided some tips for race 2, 7, 8, 10 and 11. For the main race the best bet is on Hoedspruit, should should run a good race. The banker bet of the day is on race 2 with Now I got you. See our full Durban July 2022 betting tips video below for the full analysis and tips.