When asked which the greatest race event is, most in India would look to either Royal Ascot, the Dubai World Cup, the Melbourne Cup, Epsom Derby, the Arc or the like. For me, I believed that ‎having been across the globe to almost every big race day, my favourite would always be the Kentucky Derby, that is, until I came to the Vodacom Durban July.

Run over 2200 metres, the grade one Durban July is without question not just South Africa's most important race, but Africa's as well. The field is restricted to sixteen runners and is a handicap with allowances not very unlike the Melbourne Cup‎. A panel of handicapper experts have a selection process in place and this year most believe that the race is extremely open.

Arriving at Greyville racecourse as early as 10:30 am for the first race gives me time for a wander and a curious look at the famous July Durban‎ day fashion statements that I have heard so much about almost shoots my senses with a burst of insulin. Royal Ascot move aside, this is real fashion. Guitars on hats, men and women dressed up in costume that embraces that culture and heart of Africa marries the more sombre outfits that one would find at Churchill Downs. The mood is relaxed despite the fact that there is so much at stake and it is on this visit that I realize that I love the warmth, hospitality and humour of Durban and South Africa. What's also instantly apparent is that this is nation that has got its racing right. In a day when modernization has taken hold of race courses and every course looks like it's made of glass, Greyville which is owned by our hosts, Gold Circle, has retained the charm of old world feel with grade A facilities second to none in the world.

The race day itself has four grade one races and the favourite for the big race is the triple crown winner, Louis The King. The second favourite, Legislate, a full framed horse‎ is obliged to lead early but relinquishes the lead to longshot, Wylie Hall at the halfway mark in a pace that isn't testing at all. With no one willing to commit till they straighten, on going that's true, the first two quicken and in a battle that will go down in South African racing history, Wylie Hall holds off Legislate by the shortest of margins. While that should have been dramatic enough, Legislate's rider provides 50,000 spectators with plenty more by sending the result up to the stewards' room. And, for three bumps up the straight, the result is indeed reversed and as is the unique feature of this sport, tears of joy are replaced with those of sorrow in a matter of mintes. For Legislate's connections, it's the case of one man's defeat leading to another's victory and their feelings of disappointed are instantly replaced with tears of celebration.

If one considers that this is like a verdict being reversed in the Indian Derby, it's not difficult to imagine the debate that rages post the race. Legislate's training team representative, Jonathan Snaith has no doubt however and, at the post race press con assures us all that he knows his horse well enough to know that the decision was indeed correct. ‎Legislate is a three year old and Snaith confirms the common belief that Legislate will be better at four and even as this chapter starts to close for the day, another opens when a mare called Beach‎ Beauty wins the grade one Jonsson Workwear Garden Stakes over a mile for the second time in a row.

Beach Beauty has a story behind her. Beach Beauty's ownership syndicate was put together by gentleman called Mark Armitage's widow and best friend to remember him. They wanted a horse that they was gentle and one that would let them treat her almost as a pet. And that's precisely what they got from Mark's father who owned a stud farm. Diminutive in ‎size and with a perpetual furry coat, Beach Beauty incidentally also knew how to run and with this latest victory has won 17 times from 31 starts, 5 of which are grade ones. In the process, she has earned over 5 million rand for her owners. Speaking with them before the race, Warrren Kidd said that despite how often she has won, the nerves before the race never disappear. Looking up at the sky, he mentioned how his best friend was watching this great story unfold.

The Vodacom Durban July was indeed a day of many stories. It was a day‎ when a young three year old champion with the world before him and, a mare nearing the end of her racing career; both lambs in the stable by all accounts, shed their cloaks and roared like two South African lions in front of the Greyville stands on a day that I certainly, will never forget in my life.