Hollywoodbets Durban July 2026: French Jockey Mickaëlle Michel Set to Ride Curious Girl

Durban – The Hollywoodbets Durban July is taking bold steps for women in racing this year, showcasing two female jockeys in the main event for the first time in its history.

French jockey Mickaëlle Michel will be aboard the filly Curious Girl.

Curious Girl, trained by the father-son team of Mike and Mathew de Kock and owned by Hollywood Racing, made history on April 4, 2026, by winning the Grade 2 TAB SA Derby, making her the first filly to do so in 108 years.

Bred by Riyo Stud, Curious Girl earned her name due to her curious nature, often seen peering out of her stable box to take in her surroundings.

Michel first arrived in South Africa in December 2025, excited to discover the continent’s racing scene.

Initially intending to stay for just five weeks, she now finds herself preparing for the big race seven months later.

She has already made her mark by becoming the second female rider to claim a South African Grade 1 victory when Star Major (trained by James Crawford) triumphed in the Daily News 2000.

Michel also guided this colt to victory in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Gr2 Guineas at Greyville in May.

Describing herself as an international jockey, Michel has achieved her dream of racing around the world throughout her eight-year career.

In addition to setting a record for female jockeys in France with 72 winners in 2018, she has secured over 300 wins across 14 countries, including Japan, the U.S., the UK, Italy, Dubai, and Australia.

While in Australia, she rode winners for South African trainer Mathew de Kock, who eventually brought her back to South Africa.

“I love traveling globally,” Michel shared.

“It’s the best way to learn and develop as a jockey. I met Mathew in Australia a few years back, and we discussed South Africa.

“When I learned he was returning, I seized the opportunity and arrived in December.

“At first, I intended to stay for just five weeks, but everything went exceptionally well.

“I genuinely appreciate the country’s warmth, and the chance to ride great horses motivated me to extend my stay.”

Michel believes her strengths lie in her lightweight and her ability to adapt to various racecourses with distinct surfaces and regions.

No wonder she quickly found success with several local trainers, including leading Jerusalema Rain (trained by Sean Tarry) to victory in the TAB Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes this April.

“I anticipate that my international experience will be advantageous for the July,” she noted.

What has caught Michel’s attention while racing in South Africa?

One prominent feature is the lengthy home straights, often stretching from 800 to 1,000 meters.

“You need to modify your riding style,” she explained.

“Patience is key.

“Compared to Europe, Japan, or Australia, where fields often consist of 16 to 18 horses, South African races are smaller, averaging about 14 horses.”

However, the Hollywoodbets Durban July is distinctive as one of the larger events with 18 horses participating and a relatively short finishing straight.

To compete effectively this weekend, she believes it’s essential to have horses that excel on a smaller track without an extended straight.

“I also think the draw carries more weight here than on other tracks,” Michel added.

“Given that the home stretch is only 400 meters, having a horse with a strong turn of foot is crucial.”

After the July, Michel intends to stay in South Africa until the Gold Cup, her concluding race day.

Upon returning to France, she hopes to apply for a long-stay visa that would allow her to come back to South Africa in October for the next Champions Season.

In the meantime, South Africa’s leading female jockey, Rachel Venniker, is also set to participate in this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July.

While surprised to receive another chance to become the first female victor of this prestigious race, Venniker is nonetheless excited to approach the starting line on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

She will be riding Choisaanada, trained by Erico Verdonesse, who is well-priced for the 2,200-meter distance of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Experts believe this bay gelding is well-suited to stamina-intensive races and will benefit from a patient approach, aligning perfectly with Venniker’s tactical expertise.

Venniker etched her name in history in 2024 as the first female jockey to compete in the Hollywoodbets Durban July – also aboard a reserve horse named Hluhluwe.

This marks her “third time lucky.” In 2022, she was set to ride Red Saxon but was sidelined due to an accident and concussion a week before the event. In 2023, her planned mount did not make the final list.

“On the Monday before the 2022 July, my filly in the last race jumped out of the stalls, and I hit my head on the starting gate,” Venniker recalled.

“They ruled me out due to concussion, which mandated a standard 10-day recovery. I was heartbroken.

“But you have to keep moving forward.”

Her route to becoming the top female jockey has been paved with challenges.

Nevertheless, she has displayed remarkable determination, achieving 209 race victories and 644 top-three finishes in her career.

Born in KwaZulu-Natal and raised in Summerveld, where she continues to live with her beloved animals, Venniker has been around horses since she was four.

Her aspiration to be a jockey ignited in her early teenage years.

Despite facing initial challenges gaining entry into the SA Jockey Academy due to her height, she benefitted from the support of her mentor, former champion jockey, and now trainer Michael “Muis” Roberts, guiding her to become the country’s champion apprentice for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before transitioning to senior jockey status.

Venniker stands as one of the few female apprentices in the Academy and hopes to motivate others to take this path.

In February 2024, she participated in the International Jockeys Challenge in Saudi Arabia, outpacing many renowned international female jockeys in her debut.

In August 2024, she made her debut at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot, winning on her first mount and following with second and third places across her five mounts while representing the Rest of the World team.

Yet, her journey hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing.

In April 2025, Venniker faced a broken leg due to an unexpected training accident at Summerveld.

Once again, this resilient young woman persevered, healed, and returned to the racing circuit, achieving additional victories across various venues, including Hollywoodbets Greyville, a site of historical significance as the host of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Venniker firmly believes in the power of hard work, arriving at the track as early as 4 a.m. for intense gym workouts.

She views this effort as a small price to pay in pursuit of her passion.

Her message to aspiring female jockeys is to keep faith in themselves.

“If it’s your true desire, don’t give up,” Venniker urged.

“There will be challenging times. This career isn’t easy.

“People may applaud my successes, but they don’t see the hard work behind them.

“It’s demanding – physically, mentally, and emotionally, but the rewards make it worthwhile, and I love it.”