Having a royal time

WINNER: THE REAL PRINCE BEAT FAVOURITE, WHILE AFRICAN FASHIONS SHINE

- Mike Moon & Thami Kwazi

The Real Prince won the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville, narrowly beating hot-pot 2/1 favourite Eight On Eighteen.

Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, four-year-old gelding The Real Prince started at bookmaker odds of 14/1, paid R10.30 a win and R2.90 a place on the TAB tote.

It was Kannemeyer's fourth Durban July victory - after Power King in 2015, Eyeofthetiger in 2006, and Dynasty in 2003.

It was owner Lady Christine Laidlaw's second success in South Africa's premier horse race after Power King.

But it was an emotional Craig Zackey's first July victory.

In third place in the 129^th running of the Grade 1 R5 million contest was Selukwe (17/2), with Royal Victory (20/1) in fourth and Madison Valley (25/1) in fifth.

The Real Prince's win was described as a "training feat" by racing experts.