Durban July 2026 Weights - Legal Counsel heads weights for Greyville

Gary Emmerson

Editor

Last updated: Thu 18 Jun 2026 09:35

Gary Emmerson 18 Jun 2026

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Legal Counsel tops Durban July field with 62kg.
Justin Snaith enters multiple strong contenders.
Star Major and Gladiatorian headline key rivals.

Jockey Craig Zackey waves to the crowds after winning the 2025 Durban July (Getty Images).

The 2026 Durban July official weights have been revealed with Legal Counsel heading the field for the July 4 showpiece at Greyville.

Trainer Justin Snaith's Legal Counsel has been handed 62kg to carry in the handicap and will head the final field for Africa’s Greatest Horse Racing and Social Event.

The Snaith-trained runner has built a reputation as a genuine Grade 1 performer this season but he will have to concede weight all round in the Durban July. The Met runner-up's recent efforts against the country’s best middle-distance performers underline his class, but he now has the burden of shouldering weight around Greyville’s tight turns.

Gladiatorian (61.5kg) is a hard-knocking sort whose consistent showings in major staying races have earned him a lofty merit rating of 127. King Pelles (59kg) has shown progressive form in middle-distance features and now finds himself well positioned near the top of the weights without being overly exposed.

In addition to Legal Counsel, the Snaith yard once again holds a powerful hand with multiple entries across the handicap.

Alongside the topweight, Native Ruler (58.5kg) and Happy Verse (55.5kg) bring strong form lines into the race, while Note To Self (55kg) and Wish List (54.5kg) add further depth to a formidable team.

The three-year-old brigade is headed by Star Major (57kg), who has emerged as the new favourite after a commanding victory in the Daily News 2000 at Greyville. That Grade 1 win saw him brush aside chief rival the Cape Derby winner Note To Self, who as a result has a light weight of 55kg for the Durban July.

Leading contenders came out at the second declaration stage with See It Again, Eight On Eighteen, defending champion The Real Prince, Atticus Finch, Fire Attack and Grand Empire among those.

2026 Durban July Official Weights

Horse	Weight (kg)	Trainer	MR
LEGAL COUNSEL	62	Justin Snaith	128
GLADIATORIAN	61.5	Stuart Ferrie	127
KING PELLES	59	Gareth van Zyl	122
CHOISAANADA	58.5	Erico Verdonese	121
NATIVE RULER	58.5	Justin Snaith	121
HOLDING THUMBS	57	Glen Kotzen	118
STAR MAJOR	57	James Crawford	122
MOCHA BLEND	56.5	Frank Robinson	117
SHOOT THE RAPIDS	56.5	Nathan Kotzen	117
THE ULTIMATE KING	56.5	Tony Peter	117
MINOGUE	56	Candice / Tammy Dawson	116
HAPPY VERSE	55.5	Justin Snaith	119
NOTE TO SELF	55	Justin Snaith	118
OLIVIA'S WAY	55	Roy Magner	114
HAZY DAZY	54.5	Corne Spies	117
I SALUTE YOU	54.5	Peter Muscutt	113
WISH LIST	54.5	Justin Snaith	117
CHRONICLE KING	53.5	Candice / Tammy Dawson	115
ALADDIN'S LAMP	53	Mike / Mathew de Kock	110
FIELD MARSHAL	53	Nathan Kotzen	110
VIVA'S LIBERTE	53	Candice Bass	114
ZEITZ	53	Andre Nel	110
ISIVIVANE	52	Peter Muscutt	108
TENPENNY	51.5	Patrick Kruyer	107
COPPER EAGLE	51	Robyn Klaasen	110
REGULATION	51	Justin Snaith	106
LA PULGA	50.5	Candice Bass	105
CURIOUS GIRL	46	Mike / Mathew de Kock	100