Greyville - Pre race favourite Bold Silvano and Irish Flame provided a fitting climax to a classic Vodacom Durban July as they fought it out stride for stride down the home straight lined with 50 000 screaming racegoers enjoying a record breaking event under ideal fashion-friendly warm sunny skies.

With President Jacob Zuma in attendance to hand over the sash to the winner Bold Silvano, the celebrity laced crowd applauded Mike de Kock for his unique 1-2, giving jockey Anthony Delpech another victory in this famous race.

This was victory number three for both De Kock and Delpech. De Kock had previously won with the brilliant filly Ipi Tombe and Greys Inn while Delpech had won on Classic Flag and also Greys Inn. For the people who believe in these things, Delpech’s three wins came six years apart and Bold Silvano carried saddle cloth number six.

Off the track the raceday theme provided a feisty floral spectacle as fashionistas and socialites dressed to the nine reflecting the theme "Its a Blooming Great Day", providing a captivating colourful tapestry across Greyville Racecourse.

DUT student Sheena Unwin scooped the prestigious Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award title for her striking interpretation of theme. "It's not meant to be pretty, its designed to get people to think about using plants on an experimental level," she said.

The Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge title went to another DUT graduate Claire Mackensie, whose shift dress with bold tubular floral details drew gasps from the crowd assembled in front of the fashion stage.

The raceday competitions attracted a colourful feast for the spectators on course before the first race, where the judges shortlisted the finalists on the best dressed and most Avant Garde competitions.

Race results:

6 Bold Silvano (A Delpech)...1

4 Irish Flame 3 56,0 (K shea)...2

7 Orbison 3 55,5 (R Danielson)...3

18 Service Ace 3 53,0 (G Cheyne)....4

Then came: Happy Valley, River Jetez, Fabiani, Lizarre,

Rudra, Ancestral Fore, Vertical Takeoff, Pocket Power, Goat,

Captain Scott, Russian Sage, Love Is In The Air, Aslan, Fort

Vogue, Red Rake, Flying Tristram.

Winner trained by: Mike de Kock

Winner bred by: Ascot Stud (Pty) Ltd

Betting: 33-10 Irish Flame; 5-1 River Jetez; 13-2 Bold Silvano; 8-1 Lizarre; 11-1 Pocket Power; 12-1 Ancestral Fore; 13-1 Fort Vogue 14-1 Orbison; 16-1 Aslan, Happy Valley, Russian Sage; 30-1 Red Rake 35-1 Goat; 40-1 Flying Tristram; 55-1 Vertical Takeoff; 60-1 Rudra 66-1 Love Is In The Air; 70-1 Fabiani, Captain Scott, Service Ace

Tote win: R8,60 Places R2,70 R1,70 R3,30 R7,70

Swinger 4x6 R5,90 6x7 R25,20 4x7 R14,00

Exacta 6x4 R27,70

Trifecta 6x4x7 R479,10

Quartet 6x4x7x18 R15387,10

Double 7x6 R867,70

Time: 133,03sec

Scratched: Nil

Tote favourite: 4 Irish Flame