Unrivalled as one of Africa greatest sporting events, the 2012 edition of the Durban July event was a sellout. Over 55 000 racegoers jammed the Greyling racecourse in Durban, South Africa. Fun, colour, noise and warm weather were the hallmarks of this year's event and it did not disappoint.
Despite the country facing a recession, many of the racegoers took time out to deck themselves in superb attire. There appeared to be more and bigger marquees than ever and some stood head and shoulders above the rest.The Equus Lounge was spectacular in appearance and design.
No detail had been left to chance and guests wined and dined away into the night in an old waprlded ambience, decorated with faux chioserie chairs, antique mirrors and groaning crystal bowls filled with heritage roes to the strains of house music blaring loudly from the deejays table. Inside the tent, guests sampled the best cuisine, downing mushrooms with an assortment of drinks such as beer, fruit juices and champagne.
South Africa top celebrities were not to be left out in this glamorous affair. The ladies spent a fortune on dressing and accessories. Those present included Miss South Africa Melinda Bam and her princess Remona Moodley and media personalities Claire Mawisa and Azania Mokasa.
South Africa Broadcasting corporation had its marquee and those present at its tent included actors from popular TV programme Isidingo including Jau Anstey, Tema Sebopedi, Ashish Gangerpersad and Kgomotso Christopher. Not to miss was Justice minister Jeff Radebe with his always impeccably dressed wife Bridget and premier Dr Zweli Mkhize.
Performances by popular group Black Coffee and other artistes got the bigwigs shaking their booty, and a rip-roaring good time was had by all. The after-party continued into the wee hours of the morning at the Moses Mabida stadium a short distance from the racecourse.
Robert Maurvis, chairman of the gold circle who organized the event, termed it a huge success and said the event is getting better each year. "The event is growing in stature and we get participants from all over the world from as as far as the United States of America, Australia, United Arab Emirates and the quality is good,” said Maurvis.
Durban mayor James Nxumalo termed the event one of the big city attractions and a boost to the local economy. "It's one of our big income earners and we look forward to it and we have visitors from Europe and America." Nxumalo said the event injects 500 million rand (Sh5 billion) to the local economy.
South Africa Tourism regional director for Middle and East Africa Phumi Dhlomo said Sports tourism is one of the growing markets in its stable. "This one of the big events in the country and as a body we want to cash in on and promise our visitors value for money when they come not only for the event but also when they visit other parts of the country. They will leave very happy,” Dhlomo said.
On the race track, relatively unknown Pomodoro clinched the event, getting up in the final stride to pip the outsider Smanjemanje, giving Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom his third victory in the big race and the first for both trainer Sean Tarry and owner and breeder Chris van Niekerk.
Tarry and Van Niekerk buried the memory of their close second with Buy And Sell in 2007, thanks to a brilliant ride by Strydom, and Pomodoro, a three-year-old Jet Master colt, joined the likes of the top horses Dynasty and Flaming Rock to have won the race from the widest draw of all.The jockey pocketed Sh3 million rand (Sh30 million) for the race win.
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