The prestigious South African horse racing event, Durban July will this year take place as a broadcast-only event, behind closed doors.
The host, Gold Circle, in a post on the Vodacom Durban July official Instagram account, confirmed a joint commitment with Vodacom to run the event, but under the strictest adherence to all government health protocols surrounding COVID-19.
“Gold Circle, together with the ongoing support of the company’s valued sponsor Vodacom, is fully committed to running the 2020 Vodacom Durban July,” expressed Gold Circle CEO, Michel Nairac.
“Sadly, given the reality of the present circumstances, the race meeting will be staged behind closed doors and without spectators.”
Nairac added that the event has enjoyed an uninterrupted history since first being run in 1897 and that they were doing everything in their power to ensure that 2020 is not the exception.
Vodacom said though the proposed date for the race is Saturday July 25, 2020, the extremely unpredictable nature of the current pandemic means that this can change as circumstances dictate.
“Any decision we make around the Vodacom Durban July this year will be made as a responsible company committed to the safety of all who are involved,” said Vodacom Executive Head of Sponsorship, Michelle van Eyden.
“As a sponsor, we will work together with all relevant stakeholders and be guided by the horseracing fraternity and the experts in this industry, as well as in government, as we all work towards making this year’s race a reality.”
