The Hollywood Bets Durban July is an annual event that sees people flocking from all over the world to be part of the rich traditions and high-roller lifestyle. The combination of high-stakes gambling and exclusive fashion shows makes Durban July the perfect scene for people to rub shoulders with the elite.
1. What is Durban July?
The Durban July is a prestigious event that revolves around the spectacular horse race, consisting of South Africa’s most exquisite thoroughbred horses. Hosted every year on the first Saturday of July at the historical Greyville racecourse in the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. These thoroughbreds, accompanied by their jockeys, are treated like royalty in the eyes of the public. They strive to go down in the well-established history book of Durban July winners, by any means necessary.
In the months leading up to the event, the excitement and anticipation spread like wildfire that soon engulfs the entire country. This phenomenon has been labelled the so-called “July Fever”. As the Durban July theme gets announced in March of every year, people grow evermore anxious as they start preparing for the event by booking their accommodations and hiring the best fashion designers to create a masterpiece of an outfit.
The anticipation finally peaks on the first Saturday of July as people start to arrive, dressed to the nines in their exclusive designer outfits to place large bets and witness South Africa’s most fierce thoroughbreds storm down the Greyville racecourse. It is no wonder that the Durban July has been renowned as the best horse racing and entertainment event on the African continent.
2. The History of Durban July.
The first-ever Durban July was held on the 17th of July, 1897, and has continued to run uninterrupted every year since. Around 3,000 people were in attendance that day to watch the legendary horse named Campanajo cross the finish line first to win the first-ever Durban July. Nobody back then could have ever imagined that in the years to come, the event would eventually attract over 50,000 people.
The number of legendary horses that have taken part in the race since its founding, is too high to count. Originating from the most prestigious stables and ridden by the finest jockeys of their generation. Perhaps the most famous and celebrated horse that ever ran in the Durban July is the legendary Sea Cottage. Many by now would have forgotten, or perhaps never heard of the story of the great Sea Cottage who fell victim to a vicious gunshot wound on an early morning training session, a mere few weeks before the 1966 Durban July. Sea Cottage, with the rifle bullet still lodged in his rear, ran the race of his life that day and managed to finish fourth in his heat. One year later, Sea Cottage made his return after uninterrupted preparation for the 1967 Durban July where he had a dead heat (an exact tie) with fellow competitor Jolify, who was an astonishing 12 kilograms lighter than Sea Cottage.
3. Fashion at Durban July.
Accompanying the high-stakes gambling at every Durban July, there is a vital fashion component. The Durban July Fashion Experience, hosted by Durban Fashion Fair, has always epitomised the elegance and style of the events’ nature.
Once the event theme gets announced, fashion designers from around the country start preparing their magnificent outfits in order to encompass the theme, while at the same time capturing the spirit and rich tradition of the Durban July event. These fashion designers, along with their team of glamorous models, submit their entries to compete in the Durban July Young Designer Award. This spirit of competition has helped kick-start many successful careers by giving young designers a platform to display their incredible works of art.
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