• Home
  • Horse Racing
  • Durban July Handicap

Durban July 2026 Weights - Legal Counsel heads weights for Greyville

conrad-castleton
Editor
Last updated: Thu 18 Jun 2026 09:34
The 2026 Durban July official weights have been revealed, spotlighting Legal Counsel as the topweight at 62kg for this prestigious event at Greyville. Trained by Justin Snaith, Legal Counsel leads a formidable string that includes Native Ruler and Happy Verse. Gladiatorian and emerging three-year-old Star Major headline other leading contenders. The Snaith yard demonstrates significant depth with multiple strong entries. These weight allocations set the stage for a highly competitive race at one of Africa’s premier horse racing and social events.
Conrad Castleton 2 hours ago
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Legal Counsel tops Durban July field with 62kg.
  • Justin Snaith enters multiple strong contenders.
  • Star Major and Gladiatorian headline key rivals.
Durban July
Jockey Craig Zackey waves to the crowds after winning the 2025 Durban July (Getty Images).

The 2026 Durban July official weights have been revealed with Legal Counsel heading the field for the July 4 showpiece at Greyville.

Trainer Justin Snaith's Legal Counsel has been handed 62kg to carry in the handicap and will head the final field for Africa’s Greatest Horse Racing and Social Event. 

The Snaith-trained runner has built a reputation as a genuine Grade 1 performer this season but he will have to concede weight all round in the Durban July.

The Met runner-up's recent efforts against the country’s best middle-distance performers underline his class, but he now has the burden of shouldering weight around Greyville’s tight turns. 

Gladiatorian (61.5kg) is a hard-knocking sort whose consistent showings in major staying races have earned him a lofty merit rating of 127.

King Pelles (59kg) has shown progressive form in middle-distance features and now finds himself well positioned near the top of the weights without being overly exposed.

In addition to Legal Counsel, the Snaith yard once again holds a powerful hand with multiple entries across the handicap. 

Alongside the topweight, Native Ruler (58.5kg) and Happy Verse (55.5kg) bring strong form lines into the race, while Note To Self (55kg) and Wish List (54.5kg) add further depth to a formidable team. 

The three-year-old brigade is headed by Star Major (57kg), who has emerged as the new favourite after a commanding victory in the Daily News 2000 at Greyville. 

That Grade 1 win saw him brush aside chief rival the Cape Derby winner Note To Self, who as a result has a light weight of 55kg for the Durban July.

Leading contenders came out at the second declaration stage with See It Again, Eight On Eighteen, defending champion The Real Prince, Atticus Finch, Fire Attack and Grand Empire among those.

2026 Durban July Official Weights


HorseWeight (kg)TrainerMR
LEGAL COUNSEL62Justin Snaith128
GLADIATORIAN61.5Stuart Ferrie127
KING PELLES59Gareth van Zyl122
CHOISAANADA58.5Erico Verdonese121
NATIVE RULER58.5Justin Snaith121
HOLDING THUMBS57Glen Kotzen118
STAR MAJOR57James Crawford122
MOCHA BLEND56.5Frank Robinson117
SHOOT THE RAPIDS56.5Nathan Kotzen117
THE ULTIMATE KING56.5Tony Peter117
MINOGUE56Candice / Tammy Dawson116
HAPPY VERSE55.5Justin Snaith119
NOTE TO SELF55Justin Snaith118
OLIVIA'S WAY55Roy Magner114
HAZY DAZY54.5Corne Spies117
I SALUTE YOU54.5Peter Muscutt113
WISH LIST54.5Justin Snaith117
CHRONICLE KING53.5Candice / Tammy Dawson115
ALADDIN'S LAMP53Mike / Mathew de Kock110
FIELD MARSHAL53Nathan Kotzen110
VIVA'S LIBERTE53Candice Bass114
ZEITZ53Andre Nel110
ISIVIVANE52Peter Muscutt108
TENPENNY51.5Patrick Kruyer107
COPPER EAGLE51Robyn Klaasen110
REGULATION51Justin Snaith106
LA PULGA50.5Candice Bass105
CURIOUS GIRL46Mike / Mathew de Kock100
   

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

28 May 2026

06 June 2026

10 June 2026

Load More
Hear more from Freetips.com