Africa’s greatest horseracing event holds today at the Greyville Racecourse, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa! The Vodacom Durban July is a major social and fashion event on South Africa’s racing calendar — not to mention its sporting importance to the local industry.

The race day is the centre of an economic tidal wave that sees tills ringing across the province, with R160 million spent directly in the region by Vodacom Durban July visitors. Add to that over R100 million wagered on totes on-course and off-course, and the race day’s economic churn is expected to be close to R300 million this year.

It is a hugely celebrated social occasion as A-list celebrities jockey for their share of the limelight in the premium hospitality venues. It is also a pivotal occasion for the fashion industry, as the 122-year-old event is steeped in a rich tradition of sartorial elegance and race day fashion trendsetters.

We are looking forward to seeing how this year’s fashion theme, ‘It is Time’, will be interpreted by racegoers. Keep up with BellaNaija Style here and on Instagram @bellanaijastyle as we bring you all the stylish moments from the event.

See the programme of events below:

09:30Fashion on Parade – Competition judges will start scouting for Raceday Fashion finalists in the Parade Ring behind the grandstand.
11:25RACE 1 MARINARESCO 2017 Handicap
Fashion on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village – Final – Classic Racewear – Male; Final – Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator; Final – Classic Racewear – Female. Final – Most Striking Couple
12:10RACE tabGOLD PINNACLE STAKES
12:15Fashion on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village – Showing and announcement of the winner of the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award.
12:55RACE 3 BETTING WORLD 2200 (Grade 3) – 2200m – R500 000
13:00Fashion on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village – Showing of the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase creations and the Vodacom Durban July Timeless Fashion Collection.
13:35RACE 4 DStv GOLD VASE (Grade 3) – 3000m – R500 000
13:40Fashion on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village – Finalists in the Classic Racewear Female, Classic Racewear Male, will parade and the category winners will be announced.
14:25RACE 5 SAMSUNG GOLDEN SLIPPER (Grade 2) – 1400m – R600 000
14:30DStv Live Broadcast begins.
Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator and the Most Striking Couple categories will parade and the category winners will be announced.
DJ Bhashkar on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village
15:10RACE 6 DURBAN GOLDEN HORSESHOE (Grade 2) – 1400m – R600 000
15:40Jockeys enter the Parade Ring for introduction to the crowds accompanied by models showcasing garments from the David Tlale Red Collection.
15:55Jockeys mount.
16:00Horses leave the Parade Ring.
16:10The South African National Anthem.
16:20RACE 7 THE VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1) – 2200m – R4 250 000
16:25Victory canter by the winner of the Vodacom Durban July.
16:30The Vodacom Durban July winner will enter the Gold Horseshoe lead-in area in front of the main grandstand followed by the presentation of silver salvers and the winners’ sashes.
Tresor on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village
17:15RACE 8 ZULU KINGDOM EXPLORER Handicap – POLYTRACK
17:25Gold Circle proudly presents Night Racing for the balance of the Vodacom Durban July Racemeeting with entertainment between races live from the Galaxy Stage.
17:55RACE 9 JONSSON WORKWEAR Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) – 1600m – R1 000 000
Lady Zamar on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village.
18:35RACE 10 KZN YEARLING SALE MILLION – 1300m – R 1 000 000
DJ Rocksilver on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village.
19:15RACE 11 COMPENDIUM INSURANCE BROKERS eThekwini Sprint (3-year-olds) POLYTRACK
19:55RACE 12 GREYVILLE CONVENTION CENTRE Handicap (Listed)
20:00DJ Tira and the Distruction Boyz on the Galaxy Stage at The Lakes Lifestyle Village.
21:00DJ PH on the Galaxy Stage at the Lakes Lifestyle Village.