Durban July 2025 Result: The Real Prince Rules Greyville in Gripping Finish

Saturday, 5 July 2025 – Greyville Racecourse, Durban

In front of a packed and electric Greyville crowd, The Real Prince delivered a royal performance to win the 129th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July in stunning fashion. The Dean Kannemeyer-trained runner, sent off at a generous 18/1, held off the late challenge of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in a head-bobbing finish to claim South Africa’s most coveted racing title.

Result:

🥇 1st – The Real Prince (18/1)
🥈 2nd – Eight On Eighteen (22/10 fav)
🥉 3rd – Selukwe (11/1)
🏅 4th – Royal Victory (20/1)

Ridden to perfection by Craig Zackey, The Real Prince tracked the leaders throughout before launching a calculated drive up the rail in the home straight. In a finish that had punters on their feet, he collared Eight On Eighteen, who had kicked clear around the final turn under Richard Fourie, and edged ahead in the final strides.

Selukwe and Royal Victory both stayed on strongly to claim the minor placings, while Oriental Charm set the early tempo in a sedately run race that led to a tactical battle in the final 600 metres.

A full brother to Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince, there were doubts around The Real Prince’s ability to stay the 2200m trip. But those were emphatically answered on the big stage as he proved both his stamina and his class.

For trainer Dean Kannemeyer, this marks his fourth Durban July winner, and his second for Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables, who also enjoyed top honours in 2014 with Power King. Speaking after the race, Kannemeyer praised the planning and patience that led to victory:

“You have to come in at the right time with the right weight and the right draw — and we nailed it. This was always the plan.”

Meanwhile, the runner-up Eight On Eighteen lost little in defeat. The triple Grade 1 winner was attempting to become the first three-year-old to win both the WSB Cape Met and the Durban July in a single season — a feat that now remains just out of reach.

The 2025 edition of the Durban July will be remembered for its drama, tactical mastery, and a winner who truly earned his crown.

Congratulations to the winning connections of The Real Prince – a true champion of the turf.

Did You Back The Winner?

Betting returns from World Sports Betting:

• Win: The Real Prince (18/1)

• Exacta: The Real Prince / Eight On Eighteen

• Trifecta: The Real Prince / Eight On Eighteen / Selukwe

• Quartet: The Real Prince / Eight On Eighteen / Selukwe / Royal Victory

Stay tuned for more post-race coverage, interviews, and analysis.

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