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Durban July 2026 News - First Entries and Key Dates

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Tue 19 May 2026 12:23

Jon Vine 19 May 2026

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44 horses remain after the first Durban July 2026 declarations
Justin Snaith trains 11 of the remaining contenders, including top-rated See It Again
Race day is July 6, with key entry dates throughout June

The Hollywoodbets Durban July. (Getty)

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.