Latest news with #OnEighteen
New Paper
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
The Real Prince claims the crown in Durban July
The Real Prince put his head down where it mattered and got up narrowly from favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Grade 1 five million rand (S$360,000) Hollywoodbets Durban July (2,200m) at Hollywoodbets Greyville on July 5, handing jockey Craig Zackey his maiden victory in South Africa's most prestigious race. Trained by Cape Town trainer Dean Kannemeyer - who has three previous Durban July successes to his name with Dynasty (2003), Eyeofthetiger (2006) and Power King (2015) - The Real Prince was given a gem of a ride by Zackey at his first Grade 1 race attempt. First-up after his last-start fourth in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes (1,400m) on May 3, the Gimmethegreenlight four-year-old jumped smartly from gate 5 before Zackey sat him in midfield on the rails, trailing Grade 3 Dolphins Cup Trial (1,800m) winner Madison Valley (Gavin Lerena). Defending champion Oriental Charm (Juan Paul van der Merwe) made good use of barrier 1 to lead and stack up the speed in a bid to catch his rivals napping. Meanwhile, hot favourite Eight On Eighteen (Richard Fourie) slotted into sixth position after jumping from gate 11, just five lengths off the leader. Upon straightening, the Justin Snaith-trained star colt drew first blood, while The Real Prince ($81) was angled out by Zackey for his final assault after a patient rail-hugging ride. With Fourie throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at Eight On Eighteen and Zackey riding for dear life on The Real Prince, the two went to the line locked in battle. Eight On Eighteen would not cave in but in the end, it was The Real Prince who came out tops in a stirring finish, denying Eight On Eighteen's chance of making history and becoming the first three-year-old to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met (2,000m) and the Durban July in the same year. Selukwe (Serino Moodley) stormed home for third while Royal Victory (Muzi Yeni) finished fourth. Zackey was relieved that he had finally put behind him the bad memories of his last Durban July ride. The Gauteng-born hoop finished unplaced with another Kannemeyer-trained galloper, Green With Envy, in last year's edition. Green With Envy started as the favourite, but was well beaten by Oriental Charm. The dual Grade 1 winner was retired to stud in early 2025, shortly after one more dismal run. "It's incredible," he said to Gallop TV. "Green With Envy didn't have the best of run after the (Grade 1) Daily News (2,000m). He got injured and it felt like I was carrying the world on his shoulders and the pressure just got to both of us. "He went wrong after the race and I just haven't let it down for a year, so I carried it with me in a cool tone coming here today and that pressure is well off now. "If he (The Real Prince) had one more run in between, I think he would have been a bit more comfortable. But I knew he was the best horse in the race and I just knew if he stays, he's hard to beat." Owned by breeder and owner Lady Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables, The Real Prince silenced doubters about his staying ability. Out of Grade 1 winner Real Princess - who was bought by former racecaller and racing manager Jehan Malherbe for Lady Laidlaw - he also has an older full brother Gimme A Prince, who was a three-time Grade 1-winning sprinter in South Africa. "We know his family so well and this was a team effort by everyone," said Kannemeyer, who also won the Durban July with Power King for Lady Laidlaw in 2015. "This is the second July I've trained for Lady Laidlaw and she's been a great supporter of my yard. "I remember buying Real Princess in the Cape Premier Yearling sale. When we bought her, Jehan said with that pedigree, she is going to go a mile without a doubt, or maybe further, and we were banking on that stamina with this horse (The Real Prince) because he's a completely relaxed horse. "The first time we tried him over a mile (in the Listed Jet Master Stakes over 1,600m at Kenilworth on Feb 22), he won by six lengths. "He ran a big race in the Drill Hall, and if we'd gone to the (Grade 1) Gold Challenge (1,600m) and run fourth, the handicappers would've been looking for you. "You've got to land at the right time and the right place, and we've got the right draw, so it was fantastic." sharonzhang@
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Mabuza funeral Springboks beat Italy
Here's your daily news update for Saturday, 5 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In today's news update, the late former deputy president David Mabuza will be laid to rest next weekend, while the Springboks scored a 42-24 win over Italy on Saturday. Additionally, this year's Durban July horse racing event has been won by The Real Prince. Heavy rains are expected to hit the Western Cape coast on Sunday. Read the full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. News today: 5 July 2025 Former deputy president David Mabuza at Union Buildings in Pretoria on 19 June 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu The family of former deputy president David Mabuza has confirmed that his funeral will take place next weekend. Mabuza died on Thursday following a short illness at the age of 64. Continue reading here Springboks battle past Italy at Loftus Kurt-Lee Arendse was one of the try-scorers for the Springboks against Italy on Saturday. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images The Springboks kicked off their 2025 Test season with a far from impressive 42-24 win against Six Nations minnows and severely weakened Italy in the first of two Tests between the nations at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday. Continue reading here The Real Prince, the real deal: Hot favourite goes down by a whisker in Durban July Spectators celebrate during the Durban July main race on 2 July 2022. Picture: Jacques Nelles The Real Prince won the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville, narrowly beating hot-pot 2-1 favourite Eight On Eighteen. Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, four-year-old gelding The Real Prince started at bookmaker odds of 14-1, paid R10.30 a Win and R2.90 a Place on the TAB tote. Continue reading here Steenhuisen calls national dialogue a 'band-aid on the ANC's electoral wound' Minster of Agriculture and DA leader John Steenhuisen. Picture: Nigel Sibanda DA leader John Steenhuisen has written off the upcoming national dialogue as an ANC campaign event. The Minister of Agriculture in the government of national unity (GNU) wrote an open letter to Thabo Mbeki in response to the former president's own letter released earlier this week. Continue reading here A 'mockery' or 'flimsy attack'? ANC and DA scrap over Tshwane city manager's appointment Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler. Picture: Neil McCartney The appointment of Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler was conducted in a manner that creates a mockery of the prescripts governing the appointment of senior managers, claims the ANC. Continue reading here Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Remembering Mabuza | Creecy signs licence machine deal | White and Bulls part ways
IOL News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
The Real Prince is king of the Hollywoodbets Durban July
The Real Prince, ridden by Craig Zackey was crowned king at Hollywoodbets Durban July in Greyville on Saturday. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media In a thrilling duel to the line, The Real Prince was crowned king at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, The Real Prince narrowly got the better of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Third was Selukwe with Royal Victory finishing strongly for fourth. The Real Prince's full brother Gimme A Prince was crowned Champion Sprinter two season's back so there was always a question mark hanging over his ability to stay the 2200m trip of the July. That was answered in no uncertain manner as The Real Prince fought off Eight On Eighteen who was attempting to become the first three-year-old to win the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and the July in the same season. As expected, Oriental Charm set the early pace but JP van der Merwe was in no great hurry, stacking the field up behind him. Richard Fourie angled Eight On Eighteen in from his 11 draw but was not able to get anywhere near the rail in the early exchanges. With the pace pedestrian, Fourie made a dash around the final turn hitting the front shortly after crossing the subway and going clear. 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 The Real Prince narrowly got the better of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media It looked to be a winning move until The Real Prince loomed up on his outside. Zackey had given his mount a copy book ride, cosey on the rail and keeping Eight On Eighteen in his sights. As Fourie went for broke, Zackey got a clear path and gradually reeled in his rival. It was a nod of the heads at the line but Kannemeyer had his fourth July winner in the bag and his second for Lady Christine Laidlaw and Khaya Stables. It was a plan come together said Kannemeyer speaking in the third person. 'Where were we going to place him. The first time we tried him over a mile he won by six lengths. Great run in the Drill Hall. If we run him in the Gold Challenge and run fourth the handicapper is going to be looking for you. You have to come in at the right time with the right weight and we got the right draw.' SUNDAY TRIBUNE
The South African
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Hollywoodbets Durban July: Here's who will WIN
We are now 48 hours away from the 129th edition of Africa's greatest horse race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July to be held on Saturday, 5 July at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The R5 million Grade 1 race over 2 200m is scheduled for 16:00. The race was rocked by a late scratching on Tuesday morning when Michael Roberts's See It Again was withdrawn due to an abnormal blood count. See It Again was at the time of his scratching the joint fifth favourite at 16/1. First reserve runner, Litigation, from the Sean Tarry yard has taken the place of See It Again and will jump from gate 15 with Grant van Niekerk aboard. So which horse will cross the line first – that's the big question. Eight On Eighteen from the Justin Snaith yard will be tough to beat if things go his way. And that's a big 'if'. The Hollywoodbets Durban July has thrown up a number of shock results, especially by horses drawn wide out. Eight On Eighteen will be doing his best work late in the race. Whether he's able to catch those horses who would have bolted from the gates nearest the rail, especially with Hollywoodbets Greyville's short final straight, remains to be seen. Defending champion Oriental Charm figures as the main danger and is drawn in pole position, but there are concerns over a lack of race fitness. Those looking for outsiders and a bit of value shouldn't look past, in no particular order, My Best Shot, Selukwe, Gladatorian and The Real Prince – if the distance doesn't prove a factor. Eight On Eighteen My Best Shot Selukwe Oriental Charm The Real Prince Horse Draw Odds Eight on Eighteen 11 14/10 Oriental Charm 1 7/1 Immediate Edge 10 7/1 The Real Prince 5 25/2 On My Honour 3 14/1 Selukwe 6 16/1 Gladatorian 16 16/1 Madison Valley 2 20/1 My Best Shot 9 25/1 Royal Victory 17 25/1 Atticus Finch 4 33/1 Pomodoro's Jet 8 33/1 Okavango 13 33/1 Confederate 14 33/1 Litigation 15 40/1 Purple Pitcher 12 40/1 Rainbow Lorikeet 7 50/1 Native Ruler 18 50/1 Reserve runner Son Of Raj SP Odds correct as at the time of publishing 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
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
July day eyes on Pick 6's R15m prize
The problem with the Pick 6 is the ridiculously competitive nature of races that make up the popular bet, especially on Durban July day. The Pick 6 on Durban July day is always tough to crack. Picture: Michel Bega / The Citizen The Pick 6 is a front-of-mind wager for most players on Durban July day at Greyville on Saturday – thanks to an expected R15-million mega-pool. The problem for anyone striving to win a slice of that treasure is the ridiculously competitive nature of races that make up the popular bet. Indeed, the July itself – Africa's greatest horse race and the highest aspiration of every owner, trainer and jockey – might prove the easiest of the six legs to negotiate! The key to a puzzle like this is finding a banker – a surefire winner on which to pin all hopes and allow one to select a wider spread of runners in other, more tricky legs. And the standout hot-pot favourite on Saturday is Eight On Eighteen in the Durban July – Race 7 on the card and Leg 4 of the Pick 6 – so he is likely to be a banker in a vast number of exotics bets. Options for Pick 6 Eight On Eighteen's odds on Wednesday morning were 16-10. The remaining five legs include two juvenile races, which are always difficult as the form is somewhat unreliable due to young horses often making sudden improvements as they mature. Also, there are two Grade 3 contests – the Gold Vase and the Post Merchants, longest and shortest features on the day – which are packed with top performers from around the country, all with connections desperate to lead in a winner on the big day. Finally, there is the main supporting feature, the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes, which is arguably the premier mile race for female horses in the country and carries valuable black type into the thoroughbred stud book and breeding arena. Quite a few Garden Province hopefuls could easily have made it into the Durban July line-up, so the competition is red-hot. Some players will be tempted to include the entire field in their Pick 6 combinations, but 14 runners will send the cost of the bet soaring! Another option is to trim the choice down to the best of the best. Rascova (10-1), Mon Petit Cherie (10-1), Double Grand Slam (11-2), Fatal Flaw (8-1) and Spumante Dolce (13-2) are the ones that have proven their worth in the highest company. If one has the agonizing task of trimming that list down to fit a budget, perhaps the shortest-priced, Double Grand Slam, must go – if only because her regular rider, national champ Richard Fourie, has opted for Mon Petit Cherie over her. A suggested Pick 6: 3,5,9,11,12,13 x 8,9,10 x 6,7,10,13 x 11 x 6,7,10,11 x 2,3,4,8,9,12 (R1,728)
