South Africa’s biggest racing day has been significantly reshaped by a wave of high-profile scratchings.
The Merit System Explained
Horses are handicapped according to their official merit ratings. The top-rated horse starts at 62 kg, with every point below 128 deducting 0.5 kg. Three-year-olds (colts, geldings and fillies) receive an extra 2 kg allowance at this time of year..
The Heavyweights That Are Out
The scratched division includes some of the strongest contenders originally entered:
| Rank |
Horse |
Merit |
Would-be Wt |
| 1 |
See It Again |
130 |
62.0 kg |
| 2 |
The Real Prince |
128 |
61.0 kg |
| 4 |
Eight On Eighteen |
127 |
60.5 kg |
| 6 |
Atticus Finch |
125 |
59.5 kg |
| 7 |
Okavango |
125 |
59.5 kg |
These withdrawals have removed a huge amount of elite talent from the race.
What does this mean for the race?
- Older consistent horses like Legal Counsel and Gladatorian must shoulder the burden at the top of the weights.
- Three-year-olds benefit significantly from the extra 2 kg allowance, making progressive youngsters very dangerous.
- Mid-rated runners (117–110 merit) now have a realistic shot at glory with lighter weights.
The weight spread remains fair, but the absence of several top contenders gives lightly weighted and in-form horses a genuine opportunity to upset the favourites.
Accepted Horses (ordered by New Weight)
Merit Rating rank is based on July nominated horses only.
| MR Rank |
Horse |
Age/Sex |
Merit |
New Wt (kg) |
| 3 |
Legal Counsel |
4G |
128 |
62.0 |
| 5 |
Gladatorian |
6G |
127 |
61.5 |
| 10 |
King Pelles |
5G |
122 |
59.0 |
| 12 |
Choisaanada |
4G |
121 |
58.5 |
| 13 |
Native Ruler |
4G |
121 |
58.5 |
| 15 |
Holding Thumbs |
5G |
119 |
57.5 |
| 11 |
Star Major |
3C |
122 |
57.0 |
| 20 |
Mocha Blend |
4F |
117 |
56.5 |
| 21 |
Shoot The Rapids |
5G |
117 |
56.5 |
| 22 |
The Ultimate King |
4G |
117 |
56.5 |
| 24 |
Minogue |
5M |
116 |
56.0 |
| 14 |
Happy Verse |
3G |
119 |
55.5 |
| 17 |
Note To Self |
3G |
118 |
55.0 |
| 29 |
Olivia's Way |
4F |
114 |
55.0 |
| 19 |
Hazy Dazy |
3F |
117 |
54.5 |
| 23 |
Wish List |
3F |
117 |
54.5 |
| 35 |
I Salute You |
4G |
113 |
54.5 |
| 36 |
Enflame |
4G |
112 |
54.0 |
| 26 |
Chronicle King |
3C |
115 |
53.5 |
| 30 |
Viva's Liberte |
3G |
114 |
53.0 |
| 40 |
$Aladdin's Lamp |
5G |
110 |
53.0 |
| 42 |
Field Marshal |
4G |
110 |
53.0 |
| 43 |
$Zeitz |
4G |
110 |
53.0 |
| 47 |
Isivivane |
4G |
108 |
52.0 |
| 41 |
Copper Eagle |
3G |
110 |
51.0 |
| 50 |
Regulation |
4G |
106 |
51.0 |
| 52 |
La Pulga |
4G |
105 |
50.5 |
| 53 |
Tenpenny |
4G |
105 |
50.5 |
| 57 |
Curious Girl |
3F |
100 |
46.0 |
All horses below 52kgs will carry 52kgs and will be under sufferance for the race.
Zeitz and Aladdin's Lamp were supplementary entries.
Scratched Horses
| MR Rank |
Horse |
Age/Sex |
Merit |
|
| 1 |
See It Again |
6G |
130 |
|
| 2 |
The Real Prince |
5G |
128 |
|
| 4 |
Eight On Eighteen |
4C |
127 |
|
| 6 |
Atticus Finch |
6G |
125 |
|
| 7 |
Okavango |
4G |
125 |
|
| 8 |
Fire Attack |
4C |
124 |
|
| 9 |
Great Plains |
4G |
122 |
|
| 18 |
Rule By Force |
6G |
117 |
|
| 25 |
Callmegetrix |
5M |
115 |
|
| 16 |
Jan Van Goyen |
3G |
118 |
|
| 28 |
The Equator (IRE) |
5H |
114 |
|
| 31 |
Master Redoute |
7G |
113 |
|
| 32 |
Otto Luyken |
6G |
113 |
|
| 33 |
Parisian Walkway |
4G |
113 |
|
| 34 |
Rainbow Lorikeet |
5M |
113 |
|
| 27 |
Reet Petite |
3F |
114 |
|
| 39 |
Greeting My Master |
5G |
110 |
|
| 37 |
Grand Empire |
3G |
111 |
|
| 38 |
Trust |
3C |
111 |
|
| 45 |
Wild Intent |
4G |
109 |
|
| 48 |
Thunee Playa |
5H |
107 |
|
| 44 |
Splittheeights |
3C |
109 |
|
| 49 |
Aristotle |
4G |
106 |
|
| 46 |
Errol Flynn |
3G |
108 |
|
| 51 |
Indian Ocean |
6M |
105 |
|
| 55 |
Buster Barnes |
5G |
101 |
|
| 54 |
Salani Kahle |
3C |
103 |
|
| 58 |
Jp's Palace |
4G |
99 |
|
| 56 |
Porridge Boy |
3G |
101 |
|
| 60 |
Bakwena |
4F |
97 |
|
| 59 |
Master Spy |
3G |
99 |
|
| 61 |
Ladyofdistinction |
4F |
95 |
|
| 62 |
Johnny The Thief |
5G |
94 |
|
| 63 |
Texas Missile |
3G |
94 |
|
| 64 |
Count Of Rouen |
3G |
93 |
|
| 65 |
Rose Woott (AUS) |
3F |
85 |
|
Durban July 2026
Field Strength Analysis
After a wave of scratchings, how strong is the remaining field?
Total Horses: 65
Accepted: 29 (44.6%)
Scratched: 36 (55.4%)
Only 18 horses will run, 2 reserves will be chosen.
Strength by Rank Tier (Merit Rating Order)
| Rank Tier |
Total |
Accepted |
Scratched |
% Scratched |
| 1–10 (Elite) |
10 |
2 |
8 |
80% |
| 11–20 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
50% |
| 21–30 |
10 |
7 |
3 |
30% |
| 31–40 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
40% |
| 41–50 |
10 |
4 |
6 |
60% |
| 51–65 |
15 |
5 |
10 |
67% |
Note:
- 80% of the Top 10 highest-rated horses have been scratched — a major loss in quality.
- Only Legal Counsel (Rank 3) and Gladatorian (Rank 5) remain from the original elite.
- The top end has been gutted, giving mid-rated horses and progressive 3-year-olds a much better chance.
The 2026 Durban July has lost substantial star power. With the majority of the highest-rated contenders scratched, the remaining accepted field is noticeably thinner at the top. This creates a more competitive and unpredictable handicap — perfect for an exciting July finish.
*Based on current merit ratings and scratchings and assuming no further merit ratings or scratchings take place.
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