The 2026 edition of the Durban July will be run at Greyville racecourse on Saturday 4th July and in this blog we will bring you all the latest news including regular betting updates for the big race which boasts total prize money of R10 million.
Posted 14:45 30th June
Our outright choice to win the big race remains No 10. Native Ruler as posted on Monday 29th July. Following the scratching of Star Major the odds for Native Ruler to win are now 14.29/1 with Lucky Fish.
Our boxed trifecta perm will now comprise of 5 horses at a cost of R60 for a full dividend (we have opted against adding a replacement for Star Major who was originally in our 6 horse permutation.
Goodforthegame Durban July Bets:
Native Ruler to win at 14.29/1 with Lucky Fish
Boxed trifecta perm. 9, 10,11,12 and 13
Click here to bet and claim your R50 sign up bonus plus 25 spins
Posted 14:30 30th June
Update: Durban July Favourite Scratched
Following on from the post below concerning the scratching of 4 Star Major from the Durban July revised betting for the big race is available here (odds correct as at time of this post but subject to change.
Given that Star Major was the favourite at the time of his scratching a 20% deduction will apply on bets taken after final field was announced. Any bets struck before the final field was announced (Ante post bets) or since a new market was formed following the scratching are not affected.
Posted 14:30 30th June
Durban July Favourite Scratched
Star Major who has been trading as the favourite for the July has been scratched. Statement from the yard, Crawford Racing below.
"It’s with disappointment that we announce STAR MAJOR will no longer take his place in the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
We were extremely confident going into the race, but after developing a slightly elevated temperature, we’ve made the decision to withdraw him. The horse’s welfare always comes first, and we also believe it would be unfair to the punting public to run him unless he was at his very best.
We know the quality STAR MAJOR possesses, and while this is a frustrating setback, we’re confident it’s only a minor bump in the road. His future remains incredibly bright, and we look forward to seeing him back on the track soon."
The first reserve runner Choisaanada now comes into the field. We will bring you revised betting shortly.
Posted 15:30 29th June
Who is our tip to win the Durban July?
In this race 12 months ago Native Ruler finished sixth beaten a tad less than 4 lengths. His merit rating is 2 points higher than it was in July 2025 when he jumped from Gate 18 but the two prep runs this year seem to have gone better. Drawn at 10 this year in a field which in our opinion is not as strong this time around and with de Melo in the irons Native Ruler can be a factor at an attractive price. The more conservative punter may wish to consider playing a fixed odds place (to finish in the first 4).
Bet: Native Ruler to win at 16.67/1 with Lucky Fish, bet here
And what about a Tote bet for the Durban July?
Remember you can also place your Tote bets online with Lucky Fish and for additional interest we are looking to play a boxed trifecta on the Durban July. For those of you who may not be familiar with how it works we are going to play a perm of 6 horses and hopefully get the first 3 finishers past the post (as the perm is boxed the finishing order is irrelevant as long as we have the first 3 numbers home).
There are 120 possible combinations in our perm of 6 horses so to play for a full dividend you would need to spend R120. However you can play “fractional betting” taking a % of the dividend in accordance with your budget. For example 10% would cost just R12, 50% would cost R60 etc..
Got all of that? Now for those 6 numbers
4 Star Major, has been trading as the favourite, big improver with plenty going for him here
9 Viva’s Liberte, lightly raced, light mass to carry and leading jockey Craig Zackey on board. Has been finding betting support
10 Native Ruler, our headline fixed odds bet so obviously must go in our trifecta perm too
11 Note to Self, Richard Fourie in the irons, difficult to leave out
12 Zeitz, Likes Greyville, needs to prove stamina but a player if he gets the trip
13 Mocha Blend, only been seen out twice since winning the Summer Cup and those runs over distances way short of ideal were prep runs, hopefully now primed for a big show here.
Boxed trifecta perm. 4,9,10,11,12 and 13
Click here to bet and claim your R50 sign up bonus
Posted 12:00 29th June
It's time to start putting up some tips together and we are busy doing that right now. However before we share our own bets for July Day lets take a look at how Winning Form see things panning out on Saturday. They also like the chances of Viva's Liberte coming home first in the July and you can read their in depth race by race analysis for the whole card right here.
Posted 06:00 28th June
Betting update, Star Major remains favourite for the July but has drifted to 4/1 ahead of Note to Self at 5/1 and Wish List at 5.56/1. Viva's Liberte continues to attract support at 8.33/1. Take in a full betting show here.
Claim your R50 sign up bonus at Lucky Fish here
Posted 15:00 26th June
We have added our comments for each runner in the Durban July to this article which also details the jockeys, trainers, weights, barrier draw and the latest betting. Be sure to join us next week when it will be time to start nailing up our betting tips for the entire 12 race card!!!
Thank you for joining us and have a great weekend
Posted 06:00 25th June
A reminder that the Durban July is Race 7 on a 12 race card at Greyville on Saturday 4th July. Betting is also available for each of the other races. Sign up and place your bets with Lucky Fish and claim your R50 bonus here
Over the last 24 hours we have seen some movement in the latest Durban July latest betting and have provided a full show below, odds correct at the time of this post but are subject to change
Greyville Saturday 4th July
Race 7, Durban July, due off at 16:00
4 Star Major 3.57/1 Mickaelle Michel
11 Note To Self 4.55/1 Richard Fourie
7 Wish List 5/1 Andrew Fortune
2 Regulation 7.14/1 Zac Lloyd
9 Viva’s Liberte 12.5/1 Craig Zackey
12 Zeitz 14.29/1 Serino Moodley
10 Native Ruler 16.67/1 Keagen de Melo
18 Aladdin’s Lamp 16.67/1 Calvin Habib
1 Isivivane 20/1 Sean Veale
5 Legal Counsel 20/1 Callan Murray
8 Gladatorian 20/1 Muzi Yeni
6 Hazy Dazy 25/1 Trent Mayhew
13 Mocha Blend 25/1 Tristan Godden
17 King Pelles 25/1 Chad Schofield
16 Minogue 33/1 Gavin Lerena
3 The Ultimate King 40/1 Kabelo Matsunyane
14 I Salute You 40/1 Mark du Plessis
15 Olivia’s Way 50/1 JP v'd Merwe
More details of the horses, trainers, jockeys, weights and the draw can be found here
Posted 06:00 24th June
Market moves over the course of the last day since the final field was announced and he draw made include the following horses
Isivivane 33/1 in to 20/1
Aladdin's Lamp 40/1 in to 20/1
Minogue 40/1 in to 33/1
The horses, trainers, jockeys, weights and draw is available here
Sign up and place your bets with Lucky Fish and claim your R50 bonus here
Posted 12:00 23rd June
Durban July latest betting, odds correct at the time of this post but are subject to change
4 Star Major 3.33/1 Mickaelle Michel
11 Note To Self 4/1 Richard Fourie
7 Wish List 5/1 Andrew Fortune
2 Regulation 6.25/1 Zac Lloyd
9 Viva’s Liberte 14.29/1 Craig Zackey
10 Native Ruler 14.29/1 Keagen de Melo
8 Gladatorian 16.67/1 Muzi Yeni
5 Legal Counsel 20/1 Callan Murray
12 Zeitz 20/1 Serino Moodley
13 Mocha Blend 20/1 Tristan Godden
17 King Pelles 25/1 Chad Schofield
1 Isivivane 33.33/1 Sean Veale
3 The Ultimate King 40/1 Kabelo Matsunyane
6 Hazy Dazy 40/1 Trent Mayhew
14 I Salute You 40/1 Mark du Plessis
18 Aladdin’s Lamp 40/1 Calvin Habib
15 Olivia’s Way 50/1 JP v'd Merwe
16 Minogue 50/1 Gavin Lerena
More details of the horses, trainers, jockeys, weights and the draw can be found here
Posted 11:30 23rd June
The final field for the Durban July has just been announced and the horses, trainers, jockeys, weights and draw and is available here
The latest betting will be posted here shortly
Posted 06:00 23rd June
The final field for the Durban July will be announced at 11:00 today but we first have news that Justin Snaith's Happy Verse, who had been trading at 7.14/1 fourth favourite in the ante post betting picked up an injury in work and will not be running in the big race. This scratching will be reflected in the revised betting which we will bring you as soon as possible after the final field has been confirmed.
Join us later today for further updates.
Posted 06:00 22nd June
The final field for the Durban July will be announced at 11:00 on Tuesday, 23 June and let's take in another betting update for the big race (confirmed jockey bookings in brackets).
Star Major 3.33/1
Note to Self 3.57/1 (Richard Fourie)
Wish List 4.55/1 (Andrew Fortune)
Happy Verse 7.14/1 (Zac Lloyd)
Regulation 8.33/1 (JP v'd Merwe)
Legal Council 20/1 (Callan Murray)
Native Ruler 14.29/1 (Keagan de Melo)
Viva's Liberte 14.29/1
Gladatorian 16.67/1 (Muzi Yeni)
Mocha Blend 16.67/1 (Tristan Godden)
Zeitz 16.67/1 (Serino Moodley)
Legal Council 20/1 (Callan Murray)
King Pelles 20/1 (Chad Schofield)
33/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Odds are subject to change
Posted 13:00 19th June
Heading into the weekend and there is no change to the betting in our show from yesterday in the post below. A reminder that the final field for the Durban July will be announced at 11:00 on Tuesday, 23 June and we will bring you the latest betting at the earliest opportunity thereafter. There is racing at Greyville this Saturday and Kenilworth on Sunday with several features on the respective cards and you can get the latest odds from Lucky Fish here.
Be sure to join us next week for all things betting related as our build up to Africa's richest horse race continues.
Posted 08:00 18th June
It's been a pretty quiet week on the ante post betting front for the Durban July. the weights have been published with Legal Counsel the top rated horse at 128 ahead of Gladatorian 127 and King Pelles 122. The next big date is Tuesday 23 June for the announcement of the fnal field and the all important barrier draw and the public gallops will take place at Greyville on Thursday 25 June.
Latest ante post betting for the Durban July (confirmed jockey bookings in brackets), Note to Self has been shortened this week and is now challenging Star Major at the top of the betting boards.
Star Major 3.33/1
Note to Self 3.37/1 (Richard Fourie)
Wish List 4.55/1 (Andrew Fortune)
Happy Verse 7.14/1 (Zac Lloyd)
Regulation 8.33/1 (JP v'd Merwe)
Legal Council 16.67/1 (Callan Murray)
Native Ruler 16.67/1 (Keagan de Melo)
Gladatorian 16.67/1 (Muzi Yeni)
Mocha Blend 16.67/1 (Tristan Godden)
Zeitz 16.67/1 (Serino Moodley)
King Pelles 25/1 (Chad Schofield)
King Pelles 25/1 (Chad Schofield)
33/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 06:00 15th June
We are down to 28 entries early this morning with Enflame the latest to be taken out.
Latest ante post betting for the Durban July (confirmed jockey bookings in brackets)
Star Major 3.03/1
Note to Self 3.57/1 (Richard Fourie)
Wish List 4.55/1 (Andrew Fortune)
Happy Verse 6.25/1 (Zac Lloyd)
Regulation 8.33/1 (JP v'd Merwe)
Legal Council 14.29/1 (Callan Murray)
Native Ruler 16.67/1 (Keagan de Melo)
Gladatorian 16.67/1 (Muzi Yeni)
Mocha Blend 16.67/1 (Tristan Godden)
Zeitz 16.67/1 (Serino Moodley)
King Pelles 20/1 (Chad Schofield)
Viva's Liberte 20/1
33/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 00:00 14th June
Native Ruler won the Grade 3 Winter Stakes (2400m) at Greyville on Saturday and has shortened into 16.67/1 (from 25/1) in the ante post betting. Shoot The Rapids ran third is priced at 100/1 as are Holding Thumbs, Enflame and Tenpenny who ran down the field.
Latest ante post betting for the Durban July (confirmed jockey bookings in brackets)
Star Major 3.03/1
Note to Self 3.57/1 (Richard Fourie)
Wish List 5/1 (Andrew Fortune)
Happy Verse 6.25/1 (Zac Lloyd)
Regulation 8.33/1 (JP v'd Merwe)
Legal Council 12.5/1 (Callan Murray)
Native Ruler 16.67/1 (Keagan de Melo)
Gladatorian 16.67/1
Mocha Blend 16.67/1 (Tristan Godden)
Zeitz 16.67/1 (Serino Moodley)
King Pelles 20/1 (Chad Schofield)
Viva's Liberte 25/1
33/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 06:00 12th June
July entries in action on Saturday - It's the Grade 3 Winter Stakes (2400m) at Greyville this Saturday and among the July entries engaged to run we have Native Ruler, Holding Thumbs, Enflame and Tenpenny.
International jockey's booked - Reports suggest Zac Lloyd will ride the well fancied Happy Verse for Justin Snaith and Chad Schofield has been booked for King Pelles (currently 20/1) for the Gareth van Zyl yard. Sean Veale has been booked for Peter Muscutt's Isivivane (33/1).
As of the time of this post there were still 29 entries holding their ground and no change to the ante post betting from our previous show.
Latest full ante post betting for the Durban July (confirmed jockey bookings in brackets)
Star Major 3.03/1
Note to Self 3.57/1 (Richard Fourie)
Wish List 5.56/1 (Andrew Fortune)
Happy Verse 6.25/1 (Zac Lloyd)
Regulation 8.33/1 (JP v'd Merwe)
Legal Council 12.5/1 (Callan Murray)
Gladatorian 16.67/1
Mocha Blend 16.67/1 (Tristan Godden)
Zeitz 16.67/1 (Serino Moodley)
King Pelles 20/1 (Chad Schofield)
Native Ruler 25/1 (Keagan de Melo)
Viva's Liberte 25/1
33/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 14:00 9th June
Jockey bookings - Note to Self has been supported into 3.57/1 (from 4/1) and Richard Fourie will be taking the ride. Andrew Fortune will ride the stable companion Wish List. Away from the Justin Snaith yard Serino Moodley will ride Zeitz and Gavin Lerena will be on board Minogue.
Latest full ante post betting for the Durban July (confirmed jockey bookings in brackets)
Star Major 3.03/1
Note to Self 3.57/1 (Richard Fourie)
Wish List 5.56/1 (Andrew Fortune)
Happy Verse 6.25/1
Regulation 8.33/1 (JP v'd Merwe)
Legal Council 12.5/1 (Callan Murray)
Gladatorian 16.67/1
Mocha Blend 16.67/1 (Tristan Godden)
Zeitz 16.67/1 (Serino Moodley)
King Pelles 20/1
Native Ruler 25/1 (Keagan de Melo)
Viva's Liberte 25/1
33/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 11:30 8th June
Latest full ante post betting for the Durban July (confirmed jockey bookings in brackets)
Star Major 3.03/1
Note to Self 4/1
Wish List 5/1
Happy Verse 6.25/1
Regulation 8.33/1 (JP v'd Merwe)
Legal Council 12.5/1 (Callan Murray)
Gladatorian 16.67/1
Mocha Blend 16.67/1 (Tristan Godden)
King Pelles 20/1
Zeitz 20/1
Native Ruler 25/1 (Keagan de Melo)
Viva's Liberte 25/1
33/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Odds are subject to change
Posted 11:00 8th June
Last years winner The Real Prince is not among the 29 acceptors at today's round of declarations and neither is See It Again. A full ante post betting update will follow shortly
Posted 07:00 8th June
Last years runner Eight on Eighteen, who ran down he field in the Gold Challenge on Saturday has been scratched from the July. The next round of declarations is due later today and we will update the ante post betting as soon as it becomes available.
Posted 07:00 7th June
The running of the Gold challenge at Greyville yesterday saw Questioning (not a July entry) narrowly defeat Legal Council with Gladatorian and The Real Prince 3rd and 4th. See It Again ran seventh and Eight on Eighteen was way back in ninth. The Cup Trial was won by Zeitz ahead of I Salute You and JP's Palace with the favourite, Regulation running down the field.
There is another round of declarations for the July due at 11:00 on Monday morning (8th June) which could have a big bearing on the July Ante Post market but as far as the betting right now is concerned we have a show below.
Star Major 3.57/1
Note to Self 5.56/1
Wish List 5.56/1
Happy Verse 8.33/1
See It Again 10/1
Eight on Eighteen 10/1
Regulation 12.5/1
Legal Council 14.29/1
The Real Prince 16.67/1
Gladatorian 16.67/1
Mocha Blend 20/1
25/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 08:00 4th June
As far as the Durban July ante post betting market is concerned it's been a quiet couple of days with Star Major the favourite at 3.57/1. The next 6 in the betting are all from the Justin Snaith stable, Note to Self and Wish List (both 5.56/1), See It Again (7.14/1), Eight on Eighteen, Happy Verse and Regulation (all 8.33/1) and it's 16.67/1 and upwards the rest. Regulation is the horse that has been supported in midweek.
A number of July entries are stepping out this weekend in races such as the Gold Challenge and Cup Trial at Greyville on Saturday ahead of the second round of July decs on Monday 8th June.
Check out the latest July betting and claim your R50 sign up bonus at Lucky Fish here
Posted 06:00 2nd June
Right now 39 entries standing their ground and no major changes to the ante post betting show from 31st May with Star Major the favourite. We will see lots of runners out this weekend in the Gold Challenge, Cup Trial and other races so bound to be a shake up ahead of the second round of July decs on Monday 8th June.
Although we are some way off the final field, some jockey bookings for the July are coming in. Juan Paul v'd Merwe for Regulation, Tristan Godden for Mocha Blend and Keagan de Melo for Native Ruler
Check out the latest July betting and claim your R50 sign up bonus at Lucky Fish here
Posted 10:00 31st May
Following the Daily News 2000 at Greyville on Saturday notable scratchings from the July entries list include Jan van Goyen and Callmegetrix. Master Spy has also been taken out and at the time of this post that leaves us with 39 entries.
Some upcoming milestones in the countdown to July Day
- Greyville 6th June includes the Gold Challenge where we should see the likes of See It Again and Eight on Eighteen and perhaps The Real Prince. Many other July entries will be stepping out in other races on the day
- July Weights will be published on Monday 15th June
- Final declarations for the July are due by 11:00 Monday 22nd June
- Durban July Final field and barrier draw will be announced on Tuesday 23rd June
- Public gallops will be held on Thursday 25th June
Following his win in the Daily News Star Major has been elevated to favouirite in the July ante post betting.
Latest Betting
Star Major 3.57/1
Note to Self 5.56/1
Wish List 5.56/1
See It Again 7.14/1
Eight on Eighteen 7.14/1
Happy Verse 10/1
Regulation 12.5/1
The Real Prince 14.29/1
Mocha Blend 20/1
25/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 06:00 29th May
Another notable scratching from the entries list is Trust who had been trading at around 16/1 in the ante post betting.
Latest Betting
Note to Self 4/1
See It Again 6.25/1
Eight on Eighteen 6.25/1
Wish List 7.14/1
Star Major 10/1
Jan van Goyen 12.5/1
Regulation 12.5/1
The Real Prince 14.29/1
20/1 and upwards the rest, click here for a full betting show
Posted 06:00 27th May
Okavango will not be running in the July this year though trainer Justin Snaith still has the top 4 in the ante post betting which sees Note to Self as the 4/1 favourite (from 5/1) as the main change last week's prices.
On Saturday 30th May at Greyville we have a couple of races where July entries will be stepping out which could bring about a shaake up in the betting.
In Race 5 The Lonsdale Stirrup Cup Mike de Kock's Curious Girl, currently quoted at 33/1 in the July ante post betting is scheduled to run.
Race 6 The Woolavington 2000 declarations include Wish List who is 8.33/1 in the July betting and Callmegetarix (50/1) and Minogue (75/1).
Race 7 the field for Grade 1 Daily News 2000 includes a number of July hopefuls in the shape of Note to Self (4/1 Fav), Jan van Goyen (14/1), Star Major (14/1), Happy Verse (25/1), Viva's Liberte (40/1) and Chronicle King (75/1)
Check out the latest July betting and claim your R50 sign up bonus at Lucky Fish here
Posted 11:00 21st May
Latest Ante Post Betting from Lucky Fish
25/1 and upwards the rest, note, prices are subject to change
Claim your R50 sign up bonus at Lucky Fish here
Posted 10:00 21st May
As of the time of this update 44 horses entered at the first stage are in the mix to make up the final field of a maximum of 18 plus two reserve runners. These include Dean Kannemeyer’s THE REAL PRINCE, who beat Justin Snaith’s EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN in a nail-biting finish in this race 12 months ago.
Other entries for the super powerful Snaith stable include SEE IT AGAIN, OKAVANGO, NOTE TO SELF and WISH LIST who are all prominent in the ante Post betting.
A panel of judges will be responsible for selecting the final field, here are some of the key dates in the countdown to the July including feature races which many of the July hopefuls will be involved in.
- · First supplementary entries: 11:00 Tuesday, 12 May
- · Saturday 30th May, Daily News 2000m and Woolavington at Greyville
- · Saturday 6th June Gold Challenge and Cup Trail at Greyville
- · Second declarations: 11:00 Monday 8 June
- · Final supplementary entries: 11:00 Monday, 15 June
- · Weights: Monday 15 June
- · Final declarations: 11:00 Monday 22 June
Regular betting updates and market moves will be added to this blog and we will also have an in-depth preview and our tips nearer to race day.
Finally, members of the Goodforthegame community will be sharing their tips on the dedicated Durban July thread on our discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.