2023 Durban July Betting Tips, Best Bookmakers & Free Bets
The most prestigious race on the South African racing calendar, the Durban July Handicap is a race all South African trainers want to win. You can get free Durban July tips, Durban July free bets and all the information needed for betting at Greyville Racecourse right here.
South Africa's premier race is the most popular betting race in South Africa and is gaining popularity around the world. It is traditionally run on the first Saturday in July at Greyville.
2022 Durban July Result
Name
Position
1st
Sparkling Water
2nd
Jet Dark
3rd
Safe Passage
Check out our 2022 Durban July Result article for a full recap of the race and details on how you can watch a replay of the Durban July.
2023 Durban July Tips
Our tips for the 2022 Durban July Handicap will be published closer to the day of the race.
2023 Durban July Live Streaming
Visit our website for full details on how you could stream the Durban July live via you mobile or tablet with bet365.
2023 Durban July Free Bets
If you are in South Africa and looking for free bets for the Durban July, there are four recommended bookmakers to bet with.
Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes 1600m (Turf) (Grade One)
4:20pm
Thukela Handicap 1600m (Turf)
4:55pm
Ethekwini Sprint 1200m (Poly)
Durban July Handicap History
The first running of the July Handicap was in 1897 and it was held on the first Saturday of July.
Raced on turf, the Durban July Handicap is South Africa's best thoroughbred horse race and it has a long history of producing champion South African winners.
It was originally run over 1600m but was changed to 2200m in 1970 when Court Day took out the Group 1 prize.
World champion trainer Mike de Kock, who trained champion sprinter Rocket Man, has had good success in the July Handicap.
De Kock has won four times with the likes of 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 had an amazing stretch during the 1980's and 1990's, training six winners in a span of eight years.
The most successful jockey is shared by four riders but Piere Strydom has had the most recent success, winning in 2016 with The Conglomerate for Australian-born trainer Joey Ramsden.
There has been some international success 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.
Ipi Tombe, trained by Mike de Kock, was the first horse bred in Zimbabwe to win at Churchill Downs in Kentucky.
Do It Again joined the illustrious list of back-to-back winners in 2019, storming home to successfully retain the title he handed Sean Tarry the previous year.
Do It Again came up just short on his bid for an unprecedented hat-trick of Durban July wins in 2020. Justin Snaith's star was beaten by stablemate Belgarion, who topped the ante-post betting for much of the build-up and rewarded his supporters with a fine victory.
In 2021, Kommetdieding overcame a wide draw under Gavin Lerena to beat Linebacker and Got The Greenlight to win the Durban July.
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 also have a good strike rate.
In a naturally open race, due to the handicap conditions, favourites haven't fared well in recent times.
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 and 2017 winner Marinaresco is currently a 12/1 chance to add his name to the list.
Wide draws were once considered a negative factor when handicapping the Durban July Handicap but 2012 winner Pomodoro left from barrier 20 and he was the seventh horse to win from the outside stall.
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
South African Derby
The SunMet
Premier's Champions Challenge
Investec Cape Derby
Daily News 2000
Woolavington 2000
The SA Fillies' Classic
Rising Sun Gold Challenge
The following races gain the winner preferential consideration.
Sansui Summer Cup
Cup Trial
Betting World 1900
Jubilee Handicap
Past Durban July Handicap Winners
Year
Race Winner
2022
Sparkling 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
Durban July FAQs
What is the Durban July?
The Durban July is one of the biggest horse races in South Africa. It's also the name of the Festival, which is headlined by the Durban July Handicap.
When is the Durban July?
The 2023 Durban July Handicap will take place on Saturday 1st July.
Where is the Durban July run?
The Durban July Handicap is staged at Greyville racecourse, Durban, South Africa.
When was the Durban July first run?
The Durban July Handicap is one of the most historic horse races in the world, having first been run at Greyville in 1897.
Who won the Durban July?
In 2022, Sparkling Water defeated Jet Dark and Safe Passage to win the Durban July.
Who is the favourite for the Durban July?
No odds are currently available for the 2023 Durban July.
Where can I bet on the 2023 Durban July?
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