The Ultimate King Taken Out - Mickaelle Michel picks up ride on Curious Girl
Two major contenders—The Ultimate King and favorite Star Major—have both been withdrawn from Saturday’s eagerly awaited 2026 Durban July due to lameness and illness, respectively. These developments have opened opportunities for reserve horses and their riders, most notably allowing female jockeys Mickaelle Michel and Rachel Venniker to enter the main event. This shakeup not only changes the competitive landscape but also marks a significant moment, with two women now set to compete in one of South Africa’s most prestigious races.
- The Ultimate King and favorite Star Major both withdrawn from Durban July
- Female jockeys Mickaelle Michel & Rachel Venniker now joining the main race
- Reserve horses Curious Girl & Choisaanada are promoted to the final field
A second horse has been withdrawn from Saturday's Durban July this week, after The Ultimate King was taken out of the field.
Tony Peter was hopeful of a big run from The Ultimate King when he spoke to the press last month. Peter's gelding ran well when third in the Colorado King Stakes at Turffontein in April, and was narrowly beaten behind Isivivane on his most recent outing in the WSB 1900.
Sadly, Peter spoke to the press today and revealed that he'd found The Ultimate King to be lame this morning, and would therefore be scratching his contender from the 2026 Durban July.
Yesterday, the race lost its ante-post favourite, after Star Major spiked a temperature in his box. That seemed to end jockey Mickaelle Michel's hopes of becoming the first female jockey to win South Africa's most famous race, as she was due to keep the ride on James Crawford's market leader.
It seems, however, that Michel has been thrown a lifeline. The Ultimate King's withdrawal means that second reserve Curious Girl will now take her spot in the final field and, with regular riders Sean Veale and Gavin Lerena already riding in the race, Mike and Mathew de Kock could turn to Michel to ride the rank outsider of the field.
First reserve, Choisaanada has also been promoted into the final field. He'll be ridden by Rachel Venniker, meaning that two female jockeys will ride in Saturday's main event.
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