Durban July 2025 Final Field - 18 contenders confirmed for Greyville

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 04 Jul 2025

Jon Vine 04 Jul 2025

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Oriental Charm aims to defend the title in 2025 Durban July.
Eight On Eighteen, carries historic weight for a 3-year-old.
Reserves include Litigation and Son Of Raj, poised for entry.

Durban July. (Getty)

The final field has been announced for the 2025 Durban July, which takes place on Saturday, July 5th.

Oriental Charm claimed victory in last year's Durban July. Juan Paul van de Merwe has been confirmed in the saddle of the defending champion once again, who will carry a top-weight of 60kg as he bids to claim back-to-back victory.

Richie Fourie rides the market leader, Eight On Eighteen, who'll carry the heaviest weight any three-year-old has ever shouldered in this historic handicap. Oriental Charm, and fellow top-weights See It Again and Gladatorian will still have to give Eight On Eighteen three pounds, with Royal Victory and Purple Pitcher also conceding weight to Justin Snaith's favourite.

Snaith accounts for three of the 18-horse field, with fellow three-year-olds Okavango and Native Ruler joining Eight On Eighteen in the stalls. Immediate Edge has the handy three-year-old allowance on his side too, along with My Best Shot, Confederate and On My Honour.

Pomodoro's Jet is the oldest horse in the field. Rainbow Lorikeet is the only filly in this year's Durban July. 2021 winning jockey, Gavin Lerena partners Dolphin's Cup Trial winner Madison Valley, with Muzi Yeni riding Royal Victory for Nathan Kotzen.

Sean Tarry has decided against running Legend Of Arthur in this year's Durban July. Son Of Raj, despite his high merit rating of 119, is only the second reserve for this year's July Handicap. Sean Tarry's Litigation is the first in line to get a call-up, should any of the official 18 drop out between now and July 5th.

2025 Durban July Final Field and Jockey Bookings

Name	Age	MR	Weight	Jockey	Trainer
Oriental Charm	4	127	60kg	JP van de Merwe	James Crawford
See It Again	5	127	60kg	Raymond Danielson	Mike Roberts
Gladatorian	5	127	60kg	Sean Veale	Stuart Ferrie
Royal Victory	5	125	59kg	Muzi Yeni	Nathan Kotzen
Purple Pitcher	4	122	57.5kg	Kabelo Matsunyane	Robyn Klaasen
Eight On Eighteen	3	129	57kg	Richie Fourie	Justin Snaith
Atticus Finch	5	121	57kg	Calvin Habib	Alec Laird
The Real Prince	4	120	56.5kg	Craig Zackey	Dean Kannemeyer
Pomodoro's Jet	6	118	55.5kg	Athandiwe Mgudlwe	James Crawford
Okavango	3	120	54.5kg	Andrew Fortune	Justin Snaith
Native Ruler	3	119	54kg	Tristan Godden	Justin Snaith
Madison Valley	4	115	54kg	Gavin Lerena	Frank Robinson
Selukwe	5	111	54kg	Serino Moodley	Andre Nel
Confederate	3	118	53.5kg	Warren Kennedy	Fabian Habib
My Best Shot	3	116	53kg	Chase Maujean	Alan Greef
On My Honour	3	116	53kg	S'magna Kumalo	Greg Kotzen
Rainbow Lorikeet (F)	4	111	53kg	Diego De Gouveia	Candice Bass-Robinson
Immediate Edge	3	108	53kg	Callan Murray	Mike & Mathew de Kock
Reserves
Litigation	6	113	54kg	NA	Sean Tarry
Son Of Raj	5	119	56kg	NA	Tony Peter