The 1987 Durban July occupies a unique place in South African racing history. Officially, it was the race that cemented Bush Telegraph's status as one of the country's great champions. Unofficially, it is remembered by many racing enthusiasts as the day Model Man produced one of the finest losing performances ever seen in the nation's premier handicap.

The race brought together two outstanding horses at very different stages of their careers.

Bush Telegraph, trained by Bert Abercrombie, arrived at Greyville carrying an unbeaten record. The brilliant colt had won all eight of his previous starts, including the Cape Nursery, Gold Medallion, Champion Juvenile Stakes and the South African 2000. By July 1987 he was widely regarded as the country's leading three-year-old and was attempting to become the first horse to win South Africa's most famous race while preserving a perfect record.

Standing in his way was the Paddy Lunn-trained Model Man, a powerful older horse whose performances had already established him among the elite runners of his generation. While Bush Telegraph enjoyed the advantages afforded to a progressive three-year-old under the handicap conditions, Model Man was tasked with carrying top weight of 57 kilograms. Bush Telegraph, by contrast, carried just 49 kilograms, giving him an eight-kilogram advantage.

The weight differential was significant before the race and would become even more significant after it.

When the gates opened at Greyville on July 4, things did not go entirely to plan for Model Man. Jockey Basil Marcus later recalled that his mount was hampered shortly after the start and was forced to settle much further back than intended.

Bush Telegraph, meanwhile, enjoyed a smoother passage and travelled comfortably throughout. Turning for home, the unbeaten colt quickened impressively and appeared to have the race under control as he established a decisive lead.

Then came the run that has kept the debate alive for nearly four decades.

As the field straightened for home, Marcus gradually angled Model Man into the clear and began asking for his effort. The response was immediate. With every stride the big horse cut into Bush Telegraph's advantage. The crowd sensed the momentum shift and the roar grew louder as Model Man surged through the final stages.

The winning post, however, arrived before he could complete the job.

Bush Telegraph held on to win by a margin of 1¼ lengths, extending his unbeaten sequence to nine victories from nine starts and becoming the only Durban July winner to arrive unbeaten and leave the race unbeaten.

For many observers, though, the bare result told only part of the story.

Model Man had conceded eight kilograms to the winner, suffered interference at the start and still closed relentlessly over the final stages. Marcus would later reflect on the defeat as one of the great frustrations of his career, famously remarking that "two strides past the line he was in front."

The legendary jockey never won a Durban July, and many believe the 1987 running represented his best opportunity.

The race also fuelled endless discussions about the relative merits of the two horses. Bush Telegraph's supporters pointed to an unbeaten record and a flawless victory in the country's greatest handicap. Model Man's supporters countered that the older horse had effectively given the winner a substantial weight concession and still nearly overhauled him.

The argument only intensified a few weeks later.

The rematch came in the Mainstay International at Clairwood, a contest that attracted enormous public interest and was later labelled the "Race of the Century." The field featured Bush Telegraph, Model Man, Main Man and several other stars of the era.

Bush Telegraph entered the race still unbeaten after his July triumph and looking to extend his perfect record. Instead, it was Main Man who emerged victorious in a dramatic finish, narrowly defeating Model Man, while Bush Telegraph suffered the first defeat of his career in third place.

Although Bush Telegraph's unbeaten sequence ended that day, his Durban July victory remained the defining achievement of his career. The colt had arrived at Greyville unbeaten in eight starts and left with a perfect nine-from-nine record, securing his place among the legends of the race.

Yet whenever the great Durban Julys are discussed, the conversation inevitably returns to Model Man.

Some defeats fade into obscurity. Others become part of racing folklore.

Nearly forty years later, the 1987 Durban July remains memorable not only because Bush Telegraph won it, but because Model Man came so close to denying one of the sport's most celebrated unbeaten champions. In a race that showcased two exceptional horses at the height of their powers, the official record books credit Bush Telegraph with victory.

History, however, has ensured that both names are remembered together.