Durban – Africa’s biggest horse racing and social event, Hollywoodbets Durban July, is inching closer to contributing R1 billion to the eThekwini economy this year, capping a remarkable recovery story for an industry that was on the brink of collapse just a few years ago.
More than 45,000 spectators from across South Africa are expected to attend this iconic event, which boasts a total prize pool of R10 million and showcases 18 of the country's finest thoroughbreds.
Last year's event generated an estimated socio-economic impact of R840 million, a significant increase from R690 million in 2024.
Hollywoodbets brand and communications manager Devin Heffer said the success of the race reflected the broader recovery in South African horse racing. Restoration to health.
“In 2019, Hollywoodbets came on board to support KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) race operator Gold Circle, which was experiencing financial difficulties,” Hefer recalls.
“In general, horse racing was already in decline following the issues surrounding the Steinhoff and Markus Jooste failures in 2017/8.
“Then in 2020, COVID-19 put the final nail in the coffin and racing almost ended completely.
“The disinvestment had left us financially and economically devastated.
“Horses could not run, and the number of horses decreased significantly because owners could not pay their contributions and breeders could not continue breeding.''
Hollywoodbets started out as the naming rights sponsor of both Greyville and Scottsville Racecourses, taking over as title sponsor of the race, now known as Hollywoodbets Durban July, in 2022.
HollywoodBets continued to provide emergency financial support to Gold Circle as the industry fought for survival.
The challenges were not limited to KwaZulu-Natal. By 2022, horse racing operators in the Western Cape will face similar financial difficulties, facing imminent liquidation or, at best, business rescue.
Hollywoodbets has embarked on a rescue mission, injecting critical loan funds until all necessary approvals are received.
On December 1, 2023, Hollywoodbets acquired full ownership of Cape Racing.
“We were operating in the Western Cape with Cape Racing as a conduit and it took two years to finally get ownership.
Still, it did very well, and the huge investment in infrastructure and renovations brought many owners back into the game. At the same time, we were still supporting Gold Circle,” continues Heffer.
On May 1, 2025, Hollywood Group officially acquired Gold Circle. Just a few weeks later, Race Coast was established to unite race operations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape under one flag.
Investments since then have approached R1 billion, with further significant capital expenditures to follow.
“This is directed towards infrastructure improvements at Hollywoodbets' Greyville, Scottsville, Kenilworth and Durbanville racecourses, as well as major training centers in Milnerton (Cape Town) and Summerveld outside Durban,” Hefer said.
“The South African Jockey Academy, the school that trains future jockeys, has also undergone significant development and investment.”
Investments at the home of Hollywoodbets Durban July have included building and facility upgrades, the rejuvenation of the polytrack and a multi-million rand world-class lighting upgrade.
The economic impact certainly extended beyond the racetrack, benefiting suppliers, construction companies and public servants.
The group is also venturing into breeding and ownership.
The pandemic and outbreak of African horse disease have reduced exports and reduced demand for horses.
Hollywood Racing built a 275-horse thoroughbred racetrack to support the industry and foster growth.
Twenty-one horses have been imported from Australia, New Zealand and Argentina to strengthen South Africa's breeding stock, with more expected to arrive later this year.
Capital investment in infrastructure and racehorses is a loud declaration that rescue efforts are real and that horse racing has a sustainable future.
Increased ownership creates opportunities for trainers, stablemen and jockeys.
Hollywoodbets and Race Coast have invested significantly in rewarding racing horse owners, trainers and jockeys in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape region through the Race Coast Incentive Scheme.
Millions of dollars are paid in incentives to horse owners, encouraging continued investment in racehorses, and helping to increase and maintain the number of horses in training.
Since the Western Cape Racecourse in August 2024 and the KwaZulu-Natal Racecourse in January 2025, R11 million has been paid in incentives to trainers and R3.5 million to jockeys.
Stable workers, who play a vital role in the care and health of these horses, have received more than R8.5 million in incentives since the end of 2019.
For Heffer, the strongest evidence of the sport's resurgence can be seen in the growth of its flagship event.
“The sport has moved from recovery to growth, just to judge by the significant growth of Hollywoodbets Durban July and the sponsorship and economic impact of that event in 2024-2025, as well as the R50-million tax payout, which is huge for a one-day event,” he says.
But despite the impressive economic indicators, Hefer says the motivation behind the investment goes beyond financial gain.
The main objective is to protect jobs in an industry that remains a significant employer in both KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, with the acquisition saving 15,000 jobs.
Horse racing supports an estimated 300,000 dependents and supports more than 60,000 jobs across South Africa, including jockeys, trainers, stable staff, farm workers and related services.
The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July takes place today, Saturday 4th July 2026, at Greyville Racecourse, Durban.
The event stands as a symbol of South Africa's most remarkable recovery story, a journey from near collapse to renewed growth, investment and confidence.
