"I’ve got to do it for the family" - Zac Lloyd Targets First Durban July Win

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Fri 03 Jul 2026 10:39

Jon Vine 4 hours ago

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Zac Lloyd to race in Durban July, chasing win his legendary father never achieved
Recent Royal Ascot winner, Lloyd continues his rise on the international stage
Riding Regulation, he eyes broader global ambitions in horse racing

Jockey, Zac Lloyd on Moonfall celebrates with teammates following the Britannia Stakes on the third day of Royal Ascot. (Getty)

Australian jockey Zac Lloyd has the chance to achieve something his legendary father never managed by winning the Durban July at Greyville on Saturday.

The 22-year-old will partner Justin Snaith's Regulation in the Durban July - South Africa's biggest horse race - with the R10 million handicap representing the latest stop on an increasingly international career. Lloyd heads into the 2026 Durban July in excellent form, having ridden several winners during a successful stint in the UK, including a memorable Royal Ascot success aboard Moonfall in the Britannia Stakes.

Having his the headlines in Enaldn, Lloyd insists his ambitions stretch far beyond one standout meeting.

"It went a lot better than I could have dreamt about," he told the press this week. "I had a very good agent in Tony Hind, who did a fantastic job. It’s hard to look good on bad horses, but if you get chances then you can show what you can do. Hopefully, this stint grabbed a few people’s attention.

"It definitely wasn’t a one-off. Ascot was a great highlight and that’s a tick off the list, but I don't want to be known as a big Australian jockey. As a young rider, I want to be seen competing at the best meetings in the world and riding winners."

Lloyd has already identified several of racing's biggest international festivals as future targets.

"The Dubai World Cup would be fantastic to compete in. I’d love to do America, but it’s very hard for international riders to get there, Japan has fantastic racing, and Hong Kong would be the end goal. The racing there is fantastic and it really suits Australian riders, as we've seen with Zac Purton."

Before he tries to achieve those International milestones, Lloyd has an opportunity to create family history in the Durban July.

His father, Jeff Lloyd, enjoyed an outstanding riding career in South Africa, winning the jockeys' championship six times. Yet one prize always eluded him, despite numerous attempts.

"Dad was born in England but started riding here and I was born here," Lloyd continued. "He’s probably considered the best rider ever from South Africa, but he couldn’t win the Durban July, so I’ve got to do it for the family. He tried about 25 times and finished third about 12 times.

"It’s always been on the radar to come and ride here, but it didn’t quite fall into place last year. My dad came over to give it one last shot with Justin Snaith, who is a very good trainer. They kept in touch and now is the right time."

Lloyd has been handed the ride on Regulation, one of five runners saddled by Justin Snaith, and his confidence has grown after getting to know the gelding in a racecourse gallop earlier this week.

"He gave me a lovely ride," Lloyd said. "He’s a very good-looking horse. Nothing went right on his last start and it was a very messy race, so you can put a line through that one. He’s had throat surgery and that seems to have gone well as he's very clear-winded.

"He’s extremely well-weighted being a four-year-old gelding carrying 52kg, so you’ve got three-year-old fillies giving him a couple of kilos, which is unheard of. I’m sure if I get a smooth passage around from barrier two, it won’t be too tricky. I’m sure he’s going to run very well."

A victory aboard Regulation would not only hand Lloyd his first Durban July success, but also complete a remarkable fortnight that has already included Royal Ascot glory and further established one of Australia's brightest young riders on the international stage.