2025 Durban July Runners - 29 remain in the running after latest declarations
- 29 horses remain in contention for the 2025 Durban July
- Leading favorites are Eight On Eighteen and Oriental Charm
- Madison Valley and Gladatorian are strong contenders after successful recent races
The Durban July. (Getty)
29 of the continent's finest flat races remain in contention for the 2025 Durban July, following Monday's declaration stage.
The Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge headlined the racing action in South Africa this weekend. Defending Durban July winner, Oriental Charm returned from a four-month absence with a fine runner-up finish behind Dave The King in Saturday's feature at Greyville and he now sits second in the Durban July betting, behind crack three-year-old Eight On Eighteen.
The Dolphins Cup Trial, which has produced the last two winners of the Durban July, was won this year by Madison Valley, and Frank Robinson's star should now get into the HDJ having been handed a fresh merit rating of 115. Gladatorian shot up the Durban July betting this weekend too, having built on his victory over See It Again in the Drill Hall when finished third in the Gold Challenge.
Top three-year-old Fire Attack, and former Durban July runners Cousin Casey, Rascallion and Montein were taken out of the field at this latest stage of delcarations. Mike and Mat de Kock will be solely represented by Sunday's Jubilee Stakes winner Immediate Edge. Justin Snaith, meanwhile, still have six in the running, including current Durban July favourite, Eight On Eighteen.
2025 Durban July Runners (After Latest Declarations)
| Name | Merit Rating | Age | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eight On Eighteen | 129 | 3 | Justin Snaith |
| Oriental Charm | 127 | 4 | James Crawford |
| See It Again | 127 | 5 | Mike Roberts |
| Gladatorian | 127 | 5 | Stuart Ferrie |
| Royal Victory | 125 | 5 | Nathan Kotzen |
| Purple Pitcher | 122 | 4 | Robyn Klaasen |
| Atticus Finch | 121 | 5 | Alec Laird |
| The Real Prince | 120 | 4 | Dean Kannemeyer |
| Okovango | 120 | 3 | Justin Snaith |
| Son Of Raj | 119 | 5 | Tony Peter |
| Native Ruler | 119 | 3 | Justin Snaith |
| Confederate | 118 | 3 | Fabian Habib |
| Pomodoro's Jet | 118 | 6 | James Crawford |
| Legend Of Arthur | 117 | 3 | Sean Tarry |
| Future Swing | 117 | 5 | Justin Snaith |
| My Best Shot | 116 | 3 | Alan Greef |
| On My Honour | 116 | 3 | Greg Kotzen |
| Mucho Dinero | 115 | 5 | Justin Snaith |
| Madison Valley | 115 | 4 | Frank Robinson |
| Litigation | 113 | 6 | Sean Tarry |
| Beating Wings (F) | 113 | 4 | Stuart Pettigrew |
| Magic Verse | 113 | 4 | Justin Snaith |
| Selukwe | 111 | 5 | Andre Nel |
| Rainbow Lorikeet (F) | 111 | 4 | Candice Bass-Robinson |
| Joy And Peace (F) | 110 | 4 | Alan Greef |
| The Equator | 110 | 4 | Tony Peter |
| Immediate Edge | 108 | 3 | Mike & Mathew de Kock |
| Holding Thumbs | 107 | 4 | Glen Kotzen |
| Thunee Playa | 104 | 4 | Mano Pandaram |
