Hollywoodbets Durban July Media Release

1 July 2023

Embargo : None

Written By: Tim Whitfield

2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July sparkles in a day of firsts

TO DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO INTERVIEW WITH WINNING TRAINER BRETT CRAWFORD CLICK HERE
TO DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO INTERVIEW WITH WINNING JOCKEY KABELO MATSUNYANE CLICK HERE

Durban - In a day of firsts for trainer, horse and jockey, the Brett Crawford-trained Winchester Mansion was guided home by Kabelo Matsunyane to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday.

Winchester Mansion earned a R2.94 million share of the R5 million total stake by beating off the challenge of Michael "Muis" Roberts' pre-race favourite, See It Again. Bless My Stars edged out two-time winner Do It Again, the eighth-year-old veteran who also became the most capped runner in Hollywoodbets Durban July history.

Off the course, the highlight of the vibrant fashion programme was the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award presented by the Durban Fashion Fair, with Lwandle Zwezwe from the PMB School of Fashion using the inspiration of a Hindu Deity as inspiration in her elegant interpretation of the "Out of this World" theme.

Zwezwe won a R50 000 study bursary from the Hollywoodbets Foundation as well as a fashion travel package to Johannesburg to SA Fashion Week; R10 000 in cash from Gold Circle and Schweppes; and a R5 000 gift card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

In two strongly African-themed designs, Thabiso Ncanana from DUT finished second with another DUT student, Andile Nsele, third. They were rewarded with R30 000 and R20 000 bursaries respectively as well as a host of other prizes.

As always, the Raceday Fashion Awards attracted huge interest as hundreds of hopefuls from the almost 30 000 crowd looked for glory with their interpretations of the "Out of this World" theme in the Classic Raceday for Men and Women, Most Striking Couple and the Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator.

The various entries took the theme in a number of exciting directions with Brenda Waring claiming the most Striking Couple award for her ensemble. It was a second win in as many years for Waring in this category after she won in 2022 alongside Pamela Shane.

Second place in the Most Striking Couple category went to Tyler Grendon and Kayla Anne Lindsey, who were modelling a number created by Sanele Mkhize. Third place went to designer sisters Catherine and Irene Nolan for their creation that was modelled by Cyra van der Merwe and Lungelo Mathonsi.

In the Classic Racewear for Women it was Nguni Shades who walked away with the honours for his creation that was worn by Minenhle Ngcobo and inspired by the 1850s, with second place going to Nelly Maduna and third going to AFI.

In the corresponding competition for men's fashion, Kgotsofolo Given Monyamate was the winner for his piece that was shown off by model Sphosethu Thwala. Second place in this category went to Mr Dress while third was taken by Mr Martin.

Each of the raceday fashion competition winners took home R5 000 from Gold Circle and Schweppes and a R2 500 gift card from the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, while the second places won R3 000 from Gold Circle and Schweppes, with the third placed designers earning R2 000 from Gold Circle and Schweppes.

ENDS

To dowload footage or audio from Race Seven please click link below: https://www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za/media/toolkit/

More information can be found at https://www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za/


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Gameplan Media

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Gameplan Media

Stuart Queripel /
Gameplan Media

Stuart Queripel /
Gameplan Media

Stuart Queripel /
Gameplan Media

Stuart Queripel /
Gameplan Media