Race day revelry: fabulous weather and growing excitement at the Hollywoodbets Durban July
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers
The sun is out and serious punters have already made their way to Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
The racecourse is alive with fashionistas, punters, the who's who and racegoers from all around the country ready to enjoy horse racing action and lifestyle entertainment.
The excitement is building as the fashionistas stroll in the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Image: Alyssia Birjalal
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
From grand helicopter entrances to minor road closures, traffic is already following into the racecourse setting Durban's Central Business District alive.
Durban's weather did not disappoint, proving itself Africa's playground with winter practically forgotten.
Although it rained briefly on Friday, the sky is now clear and cloudless.
Fashionistas and punters still making their way can relax knowing that they can wear anything, from slippers to sneakers, the turf is moist and not muddy.
Though it's still early, the race course is filling up, and the race-watching stands are already packed for early morning race action.
Most marquees are already set up and slowly waiting for partygoers to fill them up.
If you've been here before, the set-up is different. There's a lifestyle village and the ground is set up with various food trucks, drink stands and public bars, creating an inviting atmosphere.
The stage is also set for the lifestyle festival side of the race with different performances scheduled throughout the day.
The hats are giving at Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion on the main day.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Durban July red carpet: RHOD stars show off high-fashion looks
The stars of the Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) showed up and showed off at the 2025 Durban July. The popular Showmax reality series has wrapped up season five with an exciting and eventful reunion. This year, the theme of the Durban July was 'Marvels of Mzansi'. For many, this was interpreted as things that represent South Africa, from animals and flowers to landmarks and icons. A fashion directive from the event read, 'With majestic mountains and magnificent views, these natural wonders can be your muse.' On Saturday, 5 July, thousands of revellers descended on the Greyville Racecourse for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Joining them were a number of Real Housewives from the city. While the three ladies behind much of the drama – Nonku Williams, Londie London, and Minnie Ntuli were MIA again – others put their best fashion foot forward. Sorisha Naidoo The reality TV show veteran channeled a Xhosa queen in an ensemble featuring woven straw and beaded bodice. Jojo Robinson The flamboyant RHOD star wore a lace and leopard print gown, showing off much of her tattooed body. Ayanda and Andile Season five newcomers Ayanda and Andile wore gold gowns, which, sadly, was not a hit if public commentary was anything to go by. RHOD's twins Ayanda and Andile arrive at the Durban July. Image via Instagram: @sportartkzn Kwanele 'Fafa' Kubheka Another newbie, Fafa, wore a gown inspired by the Baobab tree of life, which is indigenous to Africa, Australia, and Madagascar. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Ubuyile ubaby': Dr Musa Mthombeni happy as his wife returns from girls' trip
The former TV presenter happily cuddled with his wife, Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, after her return. While others were concerned with their outfit changes at the Durban July or scrambled to score free Bok tickets, Dr Musa Mthombeni welcomed his wife, Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, back home. 'Everything is good in the world again! The mercury is no longer in retrograde or what it is you guys say! 'Ubuyile ubaby [my baby is back], Abathakathi are down [witches are down],' wrote Mthombeni in a post. Known for his unwavering public expression of his love for his life partner, Mthombeni was ridiculed earlier this week when he posted a photo of Laurie-Mthombeni, stating that he misses her as she was on a girl's trip. ALSO READ: Somizi arrives in a chopper, stealing the show with 8 outfit changes at the Hollywoodbets Durban July 'Missing you' In a the humorous post where he jokingly offered a reward of R100 000, the former kid's presenter said KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissiner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had issued an urgent public service announcement which stated: 'The following people are both MISSING and WANTED by the National Intervention Unit. 'The suspects are extremely gorgeous and dangerous at the same time. If spotted, Please contact Musawenkosiwesizwesethusamazulu Mthombeni, said Mthombeni. Musa Mthombeni's 'missing' alerts while Laurie-Mthombeni was away. Pictures: drmusamthombeni/Instagram A few days before that, he shared a video of himself, wearing a gown and standing in front of a big screen TV with a gallery of photos of Laurie-Mthombeni in motion. 'Aren't girls trips supposed to be 2/3 days? Yoh! It's enough now! She must come back home! Her husband misses her! Please go tell her enough is enough!' ALSO READ: 'This one was particularly special for me': Dr Musa Mthombeni celebrates another milestone Career milestone In late June, Mthombeni announced that he has been elected as a member of the young specialist forum in the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). 'This one was particularly special for me as a newly elected member of the young specialist forum in the CMSA. 'Onwards and upwards – and if you were looking for motivation to study, this is it,' he wrote on Instagram. 'I had the honour of watching some of my friends and colleagues get admitted into the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. 'We now have a new bunch of specialists and sub-specialists ready to assist you all over the country,' he wrote. NOW READ: F1 film star hints at Black Panther role as racing film takes driver's seat in the box office
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Mixed Fortunes (and Andrew) at the Durban July
Andrew Fortune's story is well known in racing circles. Preparations for Hollywoodbets Durban July horseracing event at at Greyville in Durban on 30 June 2023. Picture: Nigel Sibanda A highlight of Hollywoodbets Durban July day at Greyville was jockey Andrew Fortune's win in the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes – which reminded the country of the veteran rider's astonishing career journey. Always a showman and hugely popular with racing fans, Fortune outdid himself as he stood up in the irons and saluted the capacity crowd as his mount Double Grand Slam (15-10 favourite) cruised to victory in the Grade 1, R1.5-million, 1 600 metre contest. As trainer Justin Snaith and owner representatives led the four-year-old filly into the winner's circle before the main grandstand, Fortune waved his crop like an orchestra conductor, milking the applause and cheers for all he was worth. ALSO READ: Somizi arrives in a chopper, stealing the show with eight outfit changes at the Hollywoodbets Durban July From drug addiction to champion jockey Fortune might be in trouble with the stipes for this bit of fun, but they'd have to be hard-hearted to punish the 57-year-old harshly. His story is well known in racing circles. From drug addiction, recovery, to becoming champion jockey, to retiring and being assistant trainer to his wife, to having his weight soar to 80kg, to returning to the saddle with an epic loss of 30kg-plus. Since his amazing return to riding a few months ago, he has registered nearly 40 winners. The Grade 1 trophy on Durban July day was a pinnacle no-one would have contemplated. Sympathy was due current champion jockey Richard Fourie, who has routinely partnered Double Grand Slam, but is contracted to ride for Ridgemont Stud, sponsor of the Garden Province. Fourie was booked aboard Ridgemont's Mon Petit Cherie – who was runner up to Double Grand Slam. READ MORE: 'Shrewdies' to make July Quartet pay big It was Fourie's third second-placing at the meeting, with the biggest disappointment being his narrow defeat on Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Eight On Eighteen, beaten just 0.25 lengths by The Real Prince. The champ did have the consolation of a win in the Splashout Golden Horseshoe, a Grade 2 juvenile feature, aboard Anotherdanceforme for PE trainer Alan Greeff. By contrast, legendary golfer and racing nut Gary Player would have been a happy chap after the spectacular day at Greyville. He is a part owner – with Drakenstein Stud and Dave MacLean – of Double Grand Slam. He is also a part owner of King Pelles, the four-year-old who dominated the Grade 3 Gold Vase and is now a clear favourite for the Gold Cup later in the month. And he part-owns Gold Vase runner up Holding Thumbs, who runs in his black and white colours.
