2026 Durban July Odds - Star Major favourite as three-year-olds dominate betting
The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July, South Africa’s premier horse race, offers a R5m prize pool and has undergone a major betting shake-up after the withdrawal of several previous favourites, including the defending champion. Star Major now leads the market after a landmark win in the Daily News 2000, closely trailed by Note To Self and Wish List. Other contenders include Happy Verse, Regulation, and Zeitz. The field is packed with rising three-year-olds, and anticipation is high as trainers prepare their entries for Greyville’s showpiece event.
- Latest odds and betting for the 2026 Durban July [Updated on 20.6.2026]
- Hollywoodbets will sponsor this Group One at Greyville on Saturday 4th July 2026
- Star Major is the new favourite at 9/4
The biggest horse race in South Africa is the Hollywoodbets Durban July. A huge prize pot of R5m will be up for grabs at Greyville on the first Saturday in July and the betting market is starting to take shape.
Here's the ante-post betting for the 2026 Durban July and a look through the headline names in the running.
2026 Durban July Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Star Major | 9/4 |
| Note To Self | 5/2 |
| Wish List | 7/2 |
| Happy Verse | 6/1 |
| Regulation | 8/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2026 Durban July Entries
This year's Durban July was dealt a bitter blow as See It Again, Eight On Eighteen and defending champion The Real Prince were all scratched at the second stage of declarations. Their defections led to a huge shake-up in the betting, which is now dominated by the three-year-olds.
The new favourite is Star Major, who leapt into Durban July contention after winning the Daily News 2000. James Crawford's rising star got the better of Happy Verse and Note To Self that day, and all three sit prominently in the latest Durban July market.
Note To Self and Happy Verse will represent Justin Snaith, as will leading three-year-old filly Wish List, who has collected two Grade Two victories and two Grade One triumphs since finishing third in the Cape Fillies Guineas in December.
Regulation is still available at a single-figure price despite a disappointing run in the Betgames Cup Trial. Willem Nel's Zeitz claimed victory in the last of the recognised Durban July trials and entered the betting for the big one at 16/1.
Legal Counsel heads the Durban July weights following placed efforts in the Drill Hall Stakes and the Gold Challenge. Frank Robinson's filly Mocha Blend will likely take her chance, along with another runner from the Justin Snaith stable, Native Ruler.
Gladatorian and King Pelles also seem likely to take up their Durban July entries. Other notable names still in contention include Isivivane, Hazy Dazy, Aladdin's Lamp, The Ultimate King and Choisaanada.
Verdict
Durban July favourite:
Star Major
2026 Durban July Favourite
@9/4 - 5 Units
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