Durban July 2026 News - First Entries and Key Dates
The first declaration stage for the 130th Durban July has confirmed 44 elite middle-distance horses still in the running for a share of the R10 million prize, with the race set for July 6, 2026. Standout entries are dominated by Justin Snaith, who trains 11 horses including top favorite See It Again (rating 130). Notable challengers include defending champion The Real Prince, and high-rated fillies Mocha Blend and Hazy Dazy. Key upcoming dates include June 8 for second declarations, with final entries on June 22.
- 44 horses remain after first Durban July declarations
- Justin Snaith leads with 11 entries; top-rated is See It Again
- Final race set for July 6, 2026, with key dates in June
44 of South Africa's best middle-distance horses remain in the running for the 2026 Durban July, following the first stage of declarations.
2026 marks the 130th renewal of the historic Durban July. A prize pot of R10 million has been put up for grabs by race sponsors Hollywoodbets, and racing fans can look forward to a fantastic renewal on July 6.
2026 Durban July First Entries
| Name | Trainer |
|---|---|
| ARISTOTLE | A Laird |
| ATTICUS FINCH | A Laird |
| BUSTER BARNES | M/M de Kock |
| CALLMEGETRIX | S Tarry |
| CHOISAANADA | E Verdonese |
| CHRONICLE KING | C/T Dawson |
| COPPER EAGLE | R Klaasen |
| CURIOUS GIRL | M/M de Kock |
| EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN | J Snaith |
| ENFLAME | C/T Dawson |
| FIELD MARSHAL | N Kotzen |
| FIRE ATTACK | A Laird |
| GLADATORIAN | S Ferrie |
| GRAND EMPIRE | S Tarry |
| HAPPY VERSE | J Snaith |
| HAZY DAZY | C Spies |
| HOLDING THUMBS | G Kotzen |
| I SALUTE YOU | P Muscutt |
| ISIVIVANE | P Muscutt |
| JAN VAN GOYEN | M/M de Kock |
| JP'S PALACE | D Moore |
| KING PELLES | G van Zyl |
| LA PULGA | C Bass |
| LEGAL COUNSEL | J Snaith |
| MASTER SPY | S Tarry |
| MINOGUE | C/T Dawson |
| MOCHA BLEND | F Robinson |
| NATIVE RULER | J Snaith |
| NOTE TO SELF | J Snaith |
| OKAVANGO | J Snaith |
| OLIVIA'S WAY | R Magner |
| OTTO LUYKEN | J Crawford |
| PARISIAN WALKWAY | A Laird |
| REGULATION | J Snaith |
| SEE IT AGAIN | J Snaith |
| SHOOT THE RAPIDS | N Kotzen |
| STAR MAJOR | J Crawford |
| TENPENNY | P Kruyer |
| THE REAL PRINCE | D Kannemeyer |
| THE ULTIMATE KING | T Peter |
| TRUST | C/T Dawson |
| VIVA'S LIBERTE | C Bass |
| WILD INTENT | L Houdalakis |
| WISH LIST | J Snaith |
There were no real surprises when the first declaration stage for the Durban July passed on Monday. Justin Snaith still boasts the first six in the ante-post betting, with See It Again, Eight On Eighteen and Note To Self all available at 6/1.
Snaith accounts for 11 of the initial entries, including Wish List and Okavango. Mike and Mathew de Kock boast a trio of entries, with Jan van Goyen their star attraction. Alec Laird could have four runners, including Atticus Finch and Fire Attack.
Defending champion The Real Prince looks set to represent Dean Kannemeyer again. The top-rated fillies in the entries are Frank Robinson's Mocha Blend and Hazy Dazy for Corne Spies.
See It Again is the highest-rated entrant with a mark of 130, and will carry top weight into this year's Durban July. Eight On Eighteen is rated 129, with The Real Prince and Legal Counsel both on 128. Note To Self is only rated 118, but Justin Snaith's Cape Derby runner-up will have a healthy three-year-old allowance on his side.
Durban July Key Dates
| Second Declarations | June 8th |
| Final Supplementary Entries | June 15th |
| Weights Announced | June 15th |
| Final Declarations | June 22nd |
| Race Day | July 6th |
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