Top hope out of Durban July, leaves race wide open
The shock withdrawal of exciting three-year-old and expected favourite Star Major from the Grade 1 Durban July (2200m) at Greyville in South Africa on Saturday (July 4) has raised the possibility of trainer Justin Snaith making more history in the famous feature.
The winner of the Grade 2 South African Guineas (1600m) and Grade 1 Greyville 2000 (2000m) – both at Greyville – Star Major was withdrawn from the Durban July following declarations after the three-year-old developed an elevated temperature.
Trainer James Crawford – the son of current Hong Kong-based handler Brett Crawford – said the colt had produced an abnormal blood test result, forcing the scratching of the likely favourite. His withdrawal leaves fellow three-year-olds Wish List and Note To Self, along with market mover Regulation, jostling for race favouritism.
Wish List is in the midst of a four-race winning streak, including two top-level successes, and Note To Self is coming off a nice third behind Star Major last start.
Wish List defeated Note To Self in February’s Grade 1 Cape Derby (2000m) at Kenilworth, with Star Major fourth.
“I am in the three-year-old camp,” Crawford said before Star Major’s withdrawal.
“I think Wish List is dangerous. Note To Self comes in with a good chance. He’ll be right there in the shake. Then there’s one or two four-year-olds with light weights who can be competitive, but I’ve just got a feeling it’s a race for the three-year-olds to win.”
Snaith dominates the field with five runners as he bids to create history, saddling Wish List (Andrew Fortune), Note To Self (Richard Fourie), Regulation (Zac Lloyd), Legal Counsel (Callan Murray) and Native Ruler (Keagan de Melo).
Snaith and Mike de Kock are tied on five Durban July victories each. De Kock is represented this weekend in partnership with his son Mathew with Aladdin’s Lamp and Curious Girl, who have drawn barriers 18 and 3 respectively.
Zac Lloyd, who starred at Royal Ascot with victory on Moonfall in the Britannia Stakes (1600m) last month during a productive stint in the United Kingdom, is part of a strong overseas-based contingent of riders to feature in the Durban July, along with Chad Schofield and Mark du Plessis.
Another highlight of the race is the farewell appearance of 59-year-old Andrew Fortune, who is hoping dual Group 1 winner Wish List can provide him with his first Durban July success after drawing barrier seven.
With a field of 18 starters, four of the jockeys have previously tasted success in the Durban July – Craig Zackey, Richard Fourie, JP van der Merwe and Gavin Lerena.
Zackey, who guided The Real Prince to victory in 2025, will ride Viva’s Liberte for trainer Candice Bass, who made history in 2017 when Marinaresco became the first Durban July winner trained by a woman.
The race holds special significance for Durban-born duo Schofield and Lloyd, who are the sons of former prominent jockeys Glyn and Jeff, respectively, and are both currently based in Sydney, Australia.
Neither Glyn or Jeff could win the feature but their sons are hoping to create some family history.
“I got offered a number of rides but I’m very happy to be on King Pelles, which is one of the best horses in South Africa,” Schofield said. “His form is over longer trips, but they have kept him fresh to be right for the 2200m.
“I grew up there, and it’s the biggest race in Africa. I have always wanted to win it.”
Schofield said he spoke to du Plessis, who was born in Zimbabwe, and he was also excited with the prospect of having success in the race, while Lloyd said the Durban July was one he had long wanted to participate in.
“It is a race I grew up wanting to ride, and to get a ride in it is fantastic. I have been trying to get a ride in the July for the past couple of years, and this year it has happened,” he said.
“Dad could never win it, so it would be great if I could go over there and come home with the trophy.”
