It will be one of the most momentous Vodacom Durban July’s in the race’s long history, not only in terms of the lack of spectators but also in terms of the peculiarity of the runners on the track.As usual, 18 brilliant horses will gallop down the Greyville track in pursuit of the biggest gong in South African horse racing – but, unlike in the previous 123 years, it will be eerily quiet.

The coronavirus pandemic means Saturday’s July will be contested behind closed doors – and almost a month later than originally planned.

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The Vodacom Durban July will throw open the gates on a new ensemble for life in lockdown as Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event prepares to thrill fans and fashionistas with a historic 2020 version of this iconic race.

The Vodacom Durban July is the first major horseracing event and the first Vodacom sponsorship event to be hosted since the start of lockdown, and with a racing and fashion line-up that includes the drama of a possible hat-trick of wins for “Do It Again”, the thrill of a nationwide design competition, support for local small businesses that have been hardest hit by COVID-19, and daily data prizes in the build-up to race day.