Turf Talk Newsletter – 23 April, 2026

Moosme, far side, was controversially awarded the July of 1926 at the expense of the hot favourite Narrow Gauge, whom all and sundry believed had won the race

The 1926 Durban July was the most controversial in the race’s history up until that point, but conversely the “Great Winter Meeting” of that year was so financially successful that it led to some important new structural changes being made to the course and the buildings within it.

It is fitting that the Hollywoodbets Durban July of 2026 with it’s milestone stake of a staggering R10 million falls on the 100th anniversary of one the July’s most famous and unforgettable renewals.

The 1926 July story starts in Johannesburg.

The Benoni Guineas run at Gosforth Park was originally one of the legs of the South African Triple Crown, the other two legs being the SA Derby and the Benoni St. Leger.

The 1924/1925 season Benoni Guineas had been won in impressive style by a horse called Narrow Gauge, who was by the 1923/24 Champion Sire Brown Ronald, who was seldom out of the top three on the Sires list.

Narrow Gauge was described as “brilliant” and when he won the Clairwood Winter Handicap in July 1925 his career record had improved to seven victories and nine places for earnings of close to £3000, a fine return on a horse who had cost 70 guineas as a yearling.

His Benoni Guineas win followed a runner up finish in the Met and his Clairwood Winter Handicap win followed just two weeks after finishing runner up in the July.

Those two runner up finishes in big races were fine achievements for a three-year-old.

In August 1925 he won an important race called the Champion Plate and by the time the 2026 July had come around he was so popular that it was clear he would be the hot favourite.

Jockey Granville Gorton had actually been offered a ride in Argentina at the time of the July, a good opportunity, but he turned it down as he was convinced he would win the July on Narrow Gauge.

The big horse thrilled spectators in his trial gallops and jumped as the hot 3/1 favourite.

That was despite having to carry 8 stone and 3 pounds, which was second topweight behind the Sir Abe Bailey-owned Jubilant II, who carried 8 stone 5 pounds.

In 1925 Bird Of Prey had given the diamond and gold tycoon Sir Abe Baily his first win in the July, denying Narrow Gauge by a length.

The weights the horses carried were a sign of the time as 8 stone 5 pounds is actually just 53kg, whilst in the 1926 July three runners carried bottom weight of 6 stone, which is a feather light 38kg.

Interestingly, one of the riders of the bottom weights was Ernie Duffield, who must have been about 15 years old (In those days the apprentices started at about the age of 12).

It was Duffield’s only July ride and he finished last on 25/1 shot Picture Frame.

However, he later became a pioneering racing commentator, starting out in 1945.

In the field of commentating Duffield went on to become a legend who is still talked about today.

Duffield was known for his machine-gun like delivery and became part and parcel of the July. He delivered the July’s first on course commentary relayed over the course’s public address system in 1947 and between then and his retirement in 1977 he commentated on the great race 29 times, a record eventually surpassed by Craig Peters, who will commentate his 40th July this year.

There were commentators before Duffield with the first broadcasted July, in 1927, being done for the African Broadcasting Company by JT Wallace. However, Duffield was the first to do it for the benefit of people on course and of course an on course commentary via the public address system adds a lot to the atmosphere of the race.

Duffield also started a formguide called Duff’s Turf Guide, which was a forerunner to today’s most popular South African formguide, The Computaform.

But back to the 1926 race and hot favourite Narrow Gauge entered the straight with a commanding lead.

However, the 5/1 third favourite Moosme began slowly making up the ground with jockey Teddy Jacobie cleverly sticking to the inside rail.

Narrow Gauage was still clear crossing the road, which today is a subway but in those days was known as an infamously decisive spot where a lot of Julys were either won or lost.

Moosme was urged forward by Jacobie after crossing he road.

Soon the pair were neck and neck with Moosme on the inside rail and Narrow Gauge towards the outside.

They flashed past the post at the same time and the unenviable decision was left to Harry Solomon, who had been invited from Johannesburg to be the judge for the meeting.

A period of intense silence followed as Solomon prepared to signal to the man at the number board.

A storm of protest broke out immediately when the number of the George Lee-owned Moosme, trained by WW Knapp, was hauled on to the board.

Most spectators on course had been convinced that Narrow Gauge had won.

There was some nasty scenes as the angry crowd poured scorn on the visiting judge.

The protest raged into the next week and ultimately into July folklore.

It was the most controversial incident in the history of the July up until that point.

The letters to the editors in the Natal newspapers were inundated with complaints with one of them declaring, “If Narrow Gauge did not win, and by a long neck at that, then the sun, which has never let us down, is a liar.”

However, the financial success of the day, in which there was a return of a record £49,476 (including a record £13,838 on the July itself), helped the three day “Great Winter Meeting” reach figures which were almost unprecedented.

This encouraged the stewards to go ahead with much needed building expansion plans.

Dougal and Munro’s tender of £17,500 was accepted to build a new stand and land was acquired from the Durban Corporation in Sixth Avenue. In addition the club bought land in Seventh Avenue for £1,500 and paid the golf course £3,000 so that they could lay a track along Mitchell Crescent (north side of the course).

Nevertheless, Narrow Gauge has gone down in history as one of South Africa’s unluckiest horses, a runner up in the Met and twice runner up in the July with many convinced he had won the 1926 renewal.

However, Granville Gorton was able to rid himself of the monkey on his back within a year, because he won the 1927 July on a top class horse called Hussein.

Hussein was a British-bred whom the great South African trainer Jim Russell spotted on a trip to Argentina in 1926.

The South African owner of Hussein was one of the most knowledgeable racing men in the country at the time, Willie Langerman, after whom today’s traditional Gr 3 two-year-old race in Cape Town, The Langerman, is named.

Hussein, who was trained by CE Wade, went on to become the first horse in history to win both the July and the Met and he is today only one of seven horses who have achieved the feat.

Granville Gorton’sfamily became a famous racing family in South Africa.

Other Gorton family success in the July came via Arthur Gorton, who rode Kipling to victory in 1940, Jack Gorton, who trained the 1962 July winner Diza, and John Gorton, who is accredited with one of he all time greatest July rides in the history of the race on the lightweight Jollify, who dead-heated with the immortal Sea Cottage in 1967.

John was champion apprentice for three years and became the first South African to win a British Classic, riding Sleeping Partner to victory in the Epsom Oaks in 1969.

In summary, the July of 100 years ago was a groundbreaking one, with its success enabling the stake to be raised to £5,000 for the 1927 July.

This year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is also going to be a groundbreaker with the R10 million stake energising the race unusually early in the season.

“July Fever” this year is going to be something to behold!

Future Free – this Futura half-brother to Eight On Eighteen caught the eye switching off the rail and surging late to score his third career win off an 89 rating in eyecatching style. This 91-rated three-year-old gelding should be a contender in the Cape Winter series and it would be no surprise to see him running in big races next season.

Bangladesh – came from a layoff and gelding to win impressively over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly and this Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Buffalo Bill Cody three-year-old can progress further. He has a big stride and will rise above his 82 merit rating.

Alice B Toklas – lost ground on debut but caught the eye running on strongly in a 1200m Maiden and duly won fluently next time out. Small Varsfontein Stud-bred three-year-old filly by Master Of My Fate but has a nice action and can continue to progress.

Whirlwind – This James Crawford-trained Ridgemont homebred Gimmethegreenlight half-sister to Make It Snappy has won three out of six, all over sprints, and last time over 1100m looked to have a bit in hand when winning by 1,50 lengths going away and still showing signs of green-ness. This three-year-old has a lot of scope for further improvement and can run up a sequence off an 87 merit rating.

The Brett Webber-trained Rafeef filly Plumbago Park clinches a 100th win of the season for Calvin Habib (JC Photos)

Blaine Marx-Jacobson stretched his lead in the Apprentice Championship at the Vaal Classic track today as he rode a double.

There were also doubles for Calvin Habib, who reached the 100 win mark for the season, and for Brett Webber and Sean Tarry.

Marx-Jacobson moves to 30 wins for the season at a strike rate of 13.45%.

His nearest rival for the Apprentice title, Mxolisi Mbuto, rode the winner of the last race of the day to fight back and he is now on 28 wins at 8.62% and Damyan Pillay remains in third place on 23 wins at 10.95%.

Calvin Habib’s 100 wins have come at a strike rate of 11.07%.

Brett Webber is on 23 wins at 9.54%.

Tarry is on 91 wins at 15.22%.

Hawwaam was given a boost over the weekend when his three-parts brother Ferryman won in good style and now today (Thursday) his son Western Mirage won in eyecatching style on debut at the Vaal Classic track (JC Photos)

Cape Breeders

Wilgerbosdrift’s homebred champion Hawwaam has been in good form of late.

The champion son of Silvano came up with another promising winner on Thursday, when Hawwaam filly Western Mirage made a winning debut at the Vaal.

Under Craig Zackey, the Sean Tarry trained two-year-old impressed with her win in the Championships Finale 25 April Call 011 681 1796 To Book Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) (1000m).

Despite being slow away, Western Mirage dug down deep close home and she stayed on gamely to win on debut by just over a length.

Bred by Terry Andrews, Western Mirage races for the ASSM Syndicate.

Thursday’s winner, who is out of the Western Winter mare Abound West, was a R425 000 buy from the 2025 March Yearling Sale.

Western Mirage is the seventh two-year-old winner this season for her five time G1 winning sire Hawwaam.

The latter made his presence felt with Hawwaam’s first crop including G3 World Sports Betting Sycamore Sprint winner Perfect Miracle and Listed WSB Hawwaam Stakes hero Diogenes.

King Prawn has been tipped to defy top weight in the 7th race (Pauline Herman Photography)

Trevor Reid (4Racing)

RACE 1

A small field for this opening event. CASPERITA impressed in her debut victory. She did not repeat that when travelling to the Western Cape for her second run but can bounce back and thrash these rivals. It is her first taste of the Polytrack, however. OBSIDIAN STAR has shown promise in her two starts and beat a good filly last time out so could be the threat if there is to be one to CASPERITA. FLEET RETURN makes his debut for a trainer that has had juvenile winners. THE JUDGE was not disgraced on debut but flopped second time out.

RACE 2

A competitive-looking race as there are a number of them making their local debuts and trying the Polytrack. HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE did not show her best last time out but was not disgraced in her two starts before that and would not be a surprise winner. AURELIAN can improve on local debut and trying this surface. DELAROCHE and ENGELANDPARK are better than their last runs on the turf and are better on the Polytrack so must be respected for that. LOOKING GOOD showed improvement last time out and has a place chance. LOVELY DANCER has made the trip from the Western Cape so must be considered.

RACE 3

MAKE BELIEVE has shown promise so far and can go one place better. JET SET RUN is very speedy and was not beaten far behind some talented sprinters last time out. Trainer Alan Greeff also has a decent hand in this race. HAPPY WIVES and SWEET JULIA both like this course and distance and have claims but it is DETAILED FORECAST who has stable jockey Richard Fourie in the irons so she may well be the best. ICY LANCASTER makes her local debut but is proven on the surface and would not be a surprise winner.

RACE 4

PRICELESS TREASURE has been very consistent without winning but that victory may well happen this time around. OH MANDY is a long-time battling maiden but is capable of contesting the finish. LAUDIUM seems better than her last run and could earn some money. DEE DEE’S DELIGHT is capable of improvement on local debut and trying the Polytrack. SALAGADOOLA and MEDITERRANEANFLAME have both been good of late and can contest the finish. REFLECT is capable of improvement and must be respected.

RACE 5

WISHES AND DREAMS was beaten by a decent stable companion last time and can go one better. AVERNIAN GODDESS clearly likes this track and has a chance. ROYAL CITY GIRL is proven on the Polytrack and could contest the finish. MONTELENA is often slowly away but is well drawn and can earn some money. LADY BOMBER has had a good year and should be competitive. HAT MONTERA impressed with a good victory last time but this is a tougher lot.

RACE 6

ANATOLIAN SILVER has shown improved form of late and really does deserve a winning turn. HENRY’S HEDGE showed some improvement last time out and could earn some more money. DOWNING SEVEN seems better than the last run would suggest and could win a race of this nature. GARDEN SUN has only been modest of late but can surprise. DONNY’S BOY is in good form and can play a minor role. HOMING PIGEON is consistent and could like this longer distance. GLOBAL DRUMBEAT is in good form and must also be respected.

RACE 7

KING PRAWN is clearly talented and was not disgraced in a good field last time out and could beat these rivals. PRINCESS HANNAH likes this surface but tackles a tough lot this time around. TINTAMARRE is course-and-distance suited and is an obvious threat. STARS IN HEAVEN makes his local debut and could improve. FOREST SPY is not reliable but is also quite capable of earning some money. WAROFDYNAMITE might earn some minor money.

RACE 8

An open looking last race handicap. TEEREX has shone brightly of late and can have another win in the tank. KING VISERYS is not reliable but does have a powerful finish when in the right mood. RHYTHM was full of running in his latest win and could double up. HOSPICES DE BEAUNE and EL CAPITAN both only found one better on the day in their latest starts and are not out of it. KING RAHUL has only been modest of late but is track and trip suited.

Tyrconnell has been tipped to win the 8th race (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Hollywoodbets Greyville Friday Formguides And Selections (Starts 15H45)

R1 Summary: Mostly first timers so the betting should prove your best guide. Of those that have run, Doug Campbell has one on each side of the barrier. SEI BELLA (1) gets the services of Andrew Fortune and first time cheek pieces. She has improved with every outing. WILLOW VALLI (11) was much improved at her third run and the experience should hold her in good stead. Of the unraced runners, PALACE OF ARVERNIA (9) and DEBBY HARRY (8) strike as precocious.

R2 Summary: PEACE ROSE (4) has shown ability and was not far back in her first start after a break. She should go will in this line-up. PEACH MELBA (7) was disappointing last run after a smart previous showing. Her best runs have been in the soft. EMERALD FORGE (3) makes her local debut. She has started favourite on numerous occasions on the Highveld so must have shown some ability. TIPPERARY (2) is struggling but is seldom far back and cannot be ignored.

R3 Summary: KIARTAY (1) made a smart debut before taking on winners in a feature next time out, both runs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has the best of the draw in his first outing for Tienie Prinsloo. BISON WARRIOR (6) was run out of it late last run and the step up in trip with some experience under his girth should see him close again. PRIZED POSSESSION (10) was well supported in the market on debut and showed up well on soft ground. He has a wide draw but likely to improve. DOG SOLDIER (7) is a good looker. Gelded after running on ‘five legs’ on debut and can improve.

R4 Summary: BAI YULU (3) made a smart debut at long odds. She is bred to stay this trip and any improvement can see her home. GOLD GOLD BABY (1) has some promising Western Cape form and meets little of note in this line-up. She is the one to beat. FLICKERING LIGHT (7) showed signs of coming to hand when stepped up to 1600m last run. The trip should suit. CALI BULLET (11) has shown some recent improvement and has shown that she stays the trip.

R5 Summary: Tricky handicap. TOBACCONIST (3) has come well at his last two and is over his ideal trip. Veale stays with the ride in preference to top weight TROIS TROIS QUATRE (13). The filly HODGEPODGE (4) is in cracking form. She followed up two close-up finishes behind subsequent Gr2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl with a comfortable victory over Fine Wine who has since gone on to frank that form. I’M INVICTUS (12) won well second time of asking when tried in blinkers. He has a handy weight and looks promising. Leading rider Craig Zackey takes the ride on MY BOY LOLLIPOP (5) who has no recent form over shorter. The step up in trip and jockey booking could be a pointer.

R6 Summary: Competitive handicap. Dean Kannemeyer has two lively chances in CONTINENTALEXPRESS (3) and UZWANO (11). Continentalexpress is consistent but would probably be more effective over further. Uzwano goes this trip for the first time but his pedigree suggests that he should easily see it out. COUNT OF ROUEN (4) was in need of his last run. He is a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry and will need to put in a forward showing. GO GRAYSON GO (6) is the likely pacemaker. He has been caught late at his last two. MOHAVE ROICE (9) is unbeaten in two since the blinkers were added. He has a handy weight helped by Rachel Venniker’s allowance.

R7 Summary: SILVER SALUTE (4) was a comfortable winner over course and distance in her local debut. She only got a three-point raise in the handicap and can follow up. BLUE POPPY (1) was well beaten by Silver Salute when last they met but was a below par performance from a wide draw. She should finish closer. GRAND OCCASION (2) has been in mustard form of late and won well from a tricky draw when beating Blue Poppy last time out. Michaelle Michel’s 1.5kg allowance offsets her rating increase and she can confirm that result. WEST SIDE STORY (5) showed some improvement when going a mile again. She has a light weight and has an upset chance.

R8 Summary: Wide open handicap. TYRCONNELL (3) has been knocking at the door of late in useful company. He has no weight on his back and gets cheek pieces again which can see him go one better. QUEUE WING (2) is a veteran with 48kg to shoulder from a good draw. Judged by jockey bookings GREEN GLOW (5) would look to be Dean Kannemeyer’s second string but Serino Moodley was aboard when shedding his maiden and he is way better than his last effort. Stable companion KANAAL SKATER (10) is better than his last run from a wide draw and has a winning chance on his penultimate showing. SUNDANCE KID (4) has been runner-up at his last three but all have come on the poly which is a concern.

R9 Summary: Competitive handicap. TAKE YOUR PLACE (4) has shown up well in two recent outings against speedy opposition. She gets a three-point relief in the handicap that should see her competitive in another tricky race. CALL OF THE KAROO (8) was a beaten favourite last start when taking on stronger. She has top weight but also a stronger rider aboard. AMAFORT (2) is unbeaten in two with blinkers and a useful 4kg apprentice aboard. She has a hattrick chance. BLIND SPEED (7) is back to a sprint which may turn out to be her preferred trip.