It was a day where high fashion met heart-stopping horse racing as thousands of racegoers descended on Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday for the 130th running of Africa’s greatest horse racing spectacle – the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
But the event was about far more than the race itself. From dazzling designer outfits and celebrity sightings to electrifying entertainment and a carnival-like atmosphere, Durban came alive as the city’s biggest social calendar event delivered on every front.
When it came to the main event, Note To Self (No. 11) produced a breathtaking late surge to edge out Wish List by little more than a nose in a dramatic photo finish, claiming victory in Africa’s richest horse race.
The Justin Snaith-trained runner, expertly guided by champion jockey Richard Fourie, exploded into action in the closing metres after Wish List looked destined for glory in the final straight.
The thrilling finish had spectators on their feet as Note To Self snatched victory at the line to capture the prestigious Grade 1 title and the lion’s share of the record R10 million prize purse.
Snaith enjoyed a remarkable day at the office, saddling both the winner, Note To Self, and runner-up Wish List.
King Pelles finished third, followed by Viva’s Liberte in fourth, while Isivivane rounded off the top five.
Sponsored by Hollywoodbets for the fifth consecutive year, the prestigious 2,200-metre race offered a record-breaking R10 million purse, with the winning connections taking home an unprecedented R6 million.
Away from the track, the Hollywoodbets Durban July once again proved why it is one of South Africa’s premier lifestyle events. Fashionistas turned heads in extravagant outfits inspired by this year’s theme, celebrities mingled with racegoers, and live entertainment kept crowds buzzing throughout the day.
As the sun set over Greyville, the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July had once again delivered everything fans had hoped for – glamour, entertainment, unforgettable fashion and one of the closest finishes in the race’s illustrious history.
