Vodacom, the biggest telecommunications company in sub-Saharan Africa, has agreed to a further three-year sponsorship of                                                                         South Africa’s most prestigious horserace, the Vodacom Durban July. Vodacom, together with racing operator Gold Circle, also announced that the prize pool has been boosted to a record breaking R3,5 million.

In making the announcement, Graeme Hawkins, Gold Circle’s Racing and Marketing Executive expressed his delight at the increase in prize money contained in the renewed deal, as Vodacom enters its second decade as principal sponsor: “The Vodacom Durban July is the most prestigious horse race in the country and it is appropriate that the race carries a stake worthy of its status as Africa’s Greatest Horserace. Importantly, Vodacom has become a name synonymous with the race and the day.

Enzo Scarcella, Vodacom’s Managing Executive of Marketing, remarked that the Vodacom Durban July must certainly rank as one of the top South African sporting and lifestyle events. “As Africa’s Greatest Horserace, the Durban July is one of the esteemed institutions of South African sport, with a tradition going back well over a century. So naturally, Vodacom is delighted to extend its association with this grand event,” he said.

“It is one of the essential dates on the social calendar, attracting the cream of local society, where the fashion stakes among punters compete with the quality of the field of fine Thoroughbreds that race for glory on the track, in a manner befitting the Sport of Kings. Sharing a similar commitment to excellence, we are proud that such an AUS

picious occasion has become synonymous with Vodacom.”