2025 Durban July Official Weights - Oriental Charm one of three carrying top-weight

Topping the weights is last year’s champion Oriental Charm. Fellow leading contenders Gladatorian and See It Again have also been assigned 60kg. Just behind them is Royal Victory at 59kg, while Purple Pitcher carries 57.5kg.

Eight On Eighteen is the stand-out three-year-old colt trained by Justin Snaith. The Durban July favourite has been handed 57kg — the heaviest weight ever given to a three-year-old in the race’s history. Yet with a towering merit rating of 129, he remains the highest-rated horse in the field and is still considered well-in under the weight-for-age conditions.

Other notable contenders include Atticus Finch (57kg), The Real Prince (56.5kg), and Son Of Raj (56kg), all of whom bring strong form into the race. The minimum weight of 53kg is shared by several lower-rated runners, including Legend Of Arthur, My Best Shot, and Immediate Edge, the latter of whom has flown up the betting after a dominant win in the Jubilee Stakes. Okovango (54.5kg), Native Ruler (54kg) and My Best Shot (53kg) will also represent the three-year-old generation.

With the final field announcement due on 24 June and the traditional Gallops on 26 June, anticipation is building nicely ahead of this year's Durban July.

2025 Durban July Weights