The Hollywoodbets Durban July, dubbed Africa's greatest horse racing and social event, is edging closer to pumping R1 billion into the eThekwini economy in 2026, organisers say.
It is expected to top the socio-economic impact of last years event which was estimated at R840 million, up significantly from R690 million in 2024.
This is a notable turnaround for an industry that nearly collapsed a few years ago under the weight of financial difficulties. The Steinhoff and Marcus Jooste controversy in 2017/2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic were among the major causes of withdrawal of investments.
