According to Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets brand and communications manager, the event's success reflects a broader recovery in South African horse racing, largely driven by the group's extensive financial interventions.
Africa’s premier horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is set to inject nearly R1 billion into the eThekwini economy this year, marking a major turnaround for an industry that faced total collapse just a few years ago.
The iconic event, featuring a R10 million prize pool and 18 of South Africa’s top thoroughbreds, is expected to draw over 45,000 spectators. The projected growth follows a stellar performance last year, where the event's socio-economic impact reached R840 million, up from R690 million in 2024.
According to Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets brand and communications manager, the event's success reflects a broader recovery in South African horse racing, largely driven by the group's extensive financial interventions.
The industry’s decline began with the Steinhoff and Marcus Jooste scandal in 2017/2018, followed by the devastating financial impact of Covid-19 in 2020. The pandemic halted racing, triggered a withdrawal of investments, and caused a sharp decline in the horse population as owners and breeders struggled to cover costs.
