Media Accreditation Rules

APPLICATION PERIOD

Applications open on 15th May 2025 at 5pm and strictly close at midnight on Wednesday, 25th June.

LIMIT AND DISCRETION

Race Coast (formerly Gold Circle) is obliged to work within a strict limit set for the number of accredited media working at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Accreditation will be issued after an assessment of all applications, and every applicant will be advised thereafter whether their application for media accreditation has been successful or not. The decision of Race Coast to issue media accreditation will be final and binding, and no correspondence or discussion will entered into. Applicants should not incur any expense or obligation related to covering the event until they receive confirmation of their media accreditation.

TIMELINE

Please be aware of the timeline for accreditation as follows:

  • Wed 25th June 2025: Accreditation applications close at midnight
    NO LATE ACCREDITATION APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED
  • Mon 30th June 2025: Accreditation mails sent to all applicants (success or failure)
    Details of collection sent to all successful applicants
  • Thur 3rd July 2025: Accreditation available for collection from Hollywoodbets Greyville (10am-3pm)
  • Fri 4th July 2025: Accreditation available for collection from Hollywoodbets Greyville (10am-3pm)
    No late collections!
  • Sat 5th July 2025: Hollywoodbets Durban July Race Day
    No collection of accreditation

ELIGIBILITY

Applications for accreditation will be granted to representatives of:

  • Recognised daily newspapers, wire and news services (1 journalist and 1 photographer per publication or media group)*

  • Recognised horseracing, fashion or legitimate news internet sites that change content daily (1 journalist and 1 photographer per publication)*

  • National and international horseracing magazines (1 journalist and 1 photographer per publication)*

  • National and regional lifestyle magazines and newspapers (1 journalist and 1 photographer per publication)*

  • News and sports magazines that regularly cover horseracing (1 journalist and 1 photographer per publication)

  • Local and national radio stations and networks (1 reporter and 1 technician per station)

  • Photographers with any recognised agencies (1 photographer per agency)

  • Television crews commissioned to produce features on the event for licensed satellite or terrestrial TV stations (1 presenter, 1 director, 1 camera operator, 1 sound technician per production house).

  • Video crews producing features for blogs or websites (1 presenter, 1 camera operator/technician).

  • Online radio stations (1 presenter, 1 technician).

NOTE:

  1. Where a media house has several titles, online platforms or publications covering the event, Race Coast reserves the right to allocate one full access media pass to that group, while other photographers will have limited access accreditation.

  2. Credentials are not allocated to freelance writers or photographers who are not commissioned by an accredited news organisation to cover an event on their behalf (referring letter must accompany application).

  3. Host broadcaster accreditation will be arranged directly with Race Coast.

  4. Media who failed to collect accreditation last year are less likely to be accredited this year.

  5. Media who cannot produce links to examples of work are less likely to be accredited.

GENERAL MEDIA REGULATIONS

The following regulations apply to all members of the media:

  1. All media will be issued with a Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse entry ticket and wristband valid for July 5, 2025, and, if applicable, a Photo Accreditation which specifies media areas where the holder is allowed access. This accreditation must be visibly displayed at all times and ticket and accreditation must be produced on request by security or any official.

  2. There is limited parking and accreditation does not necessarily include reserved parking area.

  3. Media crews bringing camera or television equipment into the racecourse must enter via Gate 8 in Avondale Road or the Golf Course entrance, gate 15b in Mitchell Crescent and make all equipment available for inspection by security personnel if requested.

  4. Media should observe appropriate horseracing etiquette and not disturb jockeys, trainers or horses and must adhere to all instructions from Race Coast personnel on duty in areas close to horses.

  5. Private VIP Enclosure Access: Please be advised that all hospitality venues/marquees on Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse are PRIVATE functions and accreditation does not give media access. It is strongly advised that anyone desiring to visit a particular marquee or hospitality venue makes contact with the hospitality service provider before the race day.

  6. Media are requested to observe reasonable requests from Race Coast Media Management, Race Officials or Security Personnel without delay or discussion.

  7. All Media reports must refer to the event by it’s full and correct title – the Hollywoodbets Durban July – at least in the first copy reference to the event, and in photograph captions, and to use logos, without any alterations or modifications, as provided in Media Kit on this website.

  8. Any dress regulations will be strictly enforced and accredited media must adhere to the relevant dress codes. The onus is on the media member to ensure they know the correct dress code and obey all instructions from official if asked to leave, or change clothing.

  9. Access to the parade ring will be denied to anyone wearing shorts, slops or T-shirts.

PHOTOGRAPHY REGULATIONS

In addition to the general media regulations outlined above, the following photographic regulations apply:

  1. Photo Accreditation will be issued only to personnel on assignment from recognized and accredited publications or news services.

  2. Race Coast reserves the right to refuse photo accreditation at its sole discretion.

  3. Snap Shot traders and private commercial photographers are not allowed and will be asked to leave the premises should they be seen selling their photos to members of the public on Race Coast and Royal Durban Golf Course Property.

  4. Freelance photographers shooting on speculation will not be accredited.

  5. Private VIP Enclosure Access: Please be advised that all hospitality venues/marquees on Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse are PRIVATE functions and accredited photographers are not automatically allowed entrance. However, they may introduce themselves at the entrance and request permission to enter. It is strongly advise that any photographer desiring to visit a particular marquee or hospitality venue makes contact with the hospitality service provider before the race day.

  6. Commercial exploitation of rider or racecourse photographs without the written consent of the riders or Race Coast is prohibited.

  7. A very limited number of Race Coast racetrack photographer accreditations will be issued. This will be entirely at Race Coast’s discretion and will permit the bearer access into Restricted Areas, provided that he/she adheres to all applicable regulations contained in this document.

TELEVISION REGULATIONS

Race Coast retains the exclusive right to originate live television broadcasts (including, but not limited to free-to-air, satellite, and home video) of the event from the racecourse. Race Coast may grant these rights to an Official Host Broadcaster based on a detailed Host Broadcast Agreement.

Other television stations, networks or programmes may produce and broadcast genuine news or feature coverage of the event, provided they agree to the conditions stated in the regulations in this document. Any outlet (including those affiliated with the Host Broadcaster) providing news or feature coverage of the event must adhere to the following conditions:

  1. News and feature reports may not exceed 10 minutes in duration and must be broadcast after the conclusion of the event.

  2. Reports may not contain footage of the main horserace unless such footage is obtained from and credited to the Host Broadcaster.

  3. Reports must be unbranded by any commercial sponsors and may not indicate or imply any association between the event and a commercial sponsor without the prior express written consent of Race Coast .

  4. Commercial exploitation of any obtained footage without written consent from Race Coast is prohibited.

  5. All television personnel are required to adhere to all applicable regulations contained in this document.

RADIO REGULATIONS

Any radio station wishing to broadcast from a private facility on Hollywoodbets Durban July day must observe the following:

  1. The broadcaster must apply for and be granted event media accreditation via the Race Coast event media office accreditation process.

  2. The broadcaster may not claim or imply any direct brand association with the Hollywoodbets Durban July or status as an official radio/media partner to the event, either during pre-event on-air promotions or at the event itself.

  3. The broadcaster may not display any public facing branding or publicly accessible broadcast points at the event.

  4. The broadcaster may only carry live commentary of the Main Race if it is directly obtained from and credited to the SABC.

  5. All radio personnel are required to adhere to all applicable regulations contained in this document

ONLINE REGULATIONS

Media Accreditation will be issued only to personnel on assignment from recognised horseracing, fashion or legitimate News Internet sites, as determined by Race Coast in its sole discretion.

Individuals representing multiple interests (such as recognised horseracing magazines, as well as an Internet site) must agree to abide by all the applicable media regulations.

Race Coast retains exclusive internet broadcast rights to the event.

No live or tape-delayed delivery of video footage of the event is permitted without the prior written consent of the management of Race Coast

  1. Coverage must be part of the news portion of the site and must not purport to be live, play-by-play, or real-time coverage from the racecourse.

  2. Photographic images of professional riders may be used for legitimate news coverage only, and may be used together with news stories during the day’s races, as long as photographs are not used with other real-time or near real-time information to create a “race by race” account of the day’s races.

  3. Results and statistics may be distributed only in accordance with these regulations.

  4. Commercial exploitation of any image without written consent from Race Coast is prohibited.

  5. All “online” personnel are required to adhere to all applicable regulations contained in this document

VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE ABOVE REGULATIONS COULD RESULT IN REVOKING OF CREDENTIALS AND/OR LEGAL ACTION.

DRONES

Please note, strictly no drones are to be flown over the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse at any time on Saturday, 5th July. Any drone pilots will have their equipment impounded and will have any accreditation revoked.

MEDIA ACCESS AREAS

Race Coast will issue different Media Accreditation categories based on the areas which a member of the media may require access to. Media will only be allowed access to areas for which they have been accredited. Determination of which category a member of the media may be assigned remains the sole discretion of Race Coast .

GENERAL GROUND ACCESS: This allows accredited media entry into the racecourse via an entry ticket and access to all public areas in accordance with all applicable regulations outlined in this document. Please note: This does not give media access to specified zoned working media centres. Access to zoned media centres is strictly limited to working race day media.

ZONE 1: MEDIA CENTRE: For Race Coast staff and international media only.

ZONE 2: PARADE RING MEDIA CENTRE: Alongside the parade ring. Media requiring workspace facilities during the event due to deadline restraints may be allocated space within the Media Centre at Greyville Racecourse. Limited space is available and allocations will be determined by Race Coast at its discretion.

ZONE 3: RACING MEDIA CENTRE 3rd FLOOR: Exclusively for accredited mainstream racing journalists.

ZONE 4: PARADE RING: Accredited racing media only. Access to the parade ring will be denied to anyone wearing shorts, slops or T-shirts.

OFFICIAL MEDIA BIBS: TRACKSIDE: Very limited photographers and host broadcaster TV camera crews – strictly access to media with official media bibs only

WINNERS ENCLOSURE and TRACKSIDE: Very limited racing media, photographers and TV Crews.

PRIVATE VIP ENCLOSURE ACCESS: Media may seek interviews with VIPs located in private hospitality enclosures [including Hollywoodbets hospitality]. However, access is strictly subject to the approval and consent of the respective Private Enclosure owners. Prior arrangements need to be made with the managers of each hospitality venue. See here for full contact details. NOTE: No accreditation gives any media automatic access to any private hospitality enclosures.

RESTRICTED OFFICIAL AREAS: Media are required to follow the instructions of Race Coast Officials at all times in all areas.