A total of 36 entries remain in the running for a spot in the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July after final supplementary entries closed. Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
Breaking news: Kommetdieding wins the 2021 Durban July
Kommetieding lived up to his name and brought his best form to the Durban July to overcome the draw and give Cape Town owner Ashwin Reynolds a significant triumph.
A total of 36 entries remain in the running for a spot in the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July after final supplementary entries closed. Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
A late surge was enough to give Kommetdieding the win in the Durban July at Greyville on Saturday.
The 3-year-old colt lived up to his name and brought his best form to the Durban July to overcome the draw and give Cape Town owner Ashwin Reynolds a significant triumph.
South Africa’s finest thoroughbred horses, jockeys and trainers descended on Greyville on for the world-famous Durban July.
Kommetdieding wins the 2021 Durban July
Reynolds becomes the first person of colour to own a Durban July winning horse. The MIchelle Rix and Harold Crawford trained horse caused a sensational upset to claim the R2 million race.
Jockey Gavin Lerena said that he let the horse go at the 800 metre mark and Kommetdieding did the rest.
“He’s a fantastic racehorse, said Lerena.
Ahead of the race Lerena said he would put in his best shift, having shed a lot of weight in the hopes of giving the horse a shot at glory.
“I’ve ridden Kommetdieding a couple of times in work, as well as at the official gallops last week,” Lerena said.
“What I felt is what I wanted to feel. He looks to be a very game horse, still quite immature, but he has all the ability in the world. He is definitely going to be a better older horse, but he’s in a good space at the moment and is in great health.The No 18 draw is what it is. A bad draw is a bad draw, but I will just go out there and ride my race and place my horse where he is happy.”
The Durban July triumph gives Kommetdieding his fifth win in just seven runnings.
Crown Towers had led out of the gate until about 400 metres to go when the sprint to the finish saw Kommetdieding.
2021 Durban July results
| Position | Number | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | Kommetdieding | 10/1 | G Lerena | H Crawford/M Rix |
| 2 | 7 | Linebacker | 28/10 | G v Niekerk | V Marshall |
| 3 | 14 | Got The Greenlight | 28/10 | M Yeni | J Soma |
| 4 | 16 | Do It Again | 7/1 | R Fourie | J Snaith |
| 5 | 6 | Rascallion | 14/1 | S Veale | V Marshall |
| 6 | 8 | Sovreign Spirit | 40/1 | K de Melo | C Bass-Robinson |
