Durban July 2026 - Fillies in the field adds fresh intrigue to 130th Durban July

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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Simon Lewis 1 hour ago

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Five fillies in the 18-horse field make the 2026 Durban July a unique race.
The 130th running of Africa’s biggest horse race will be contested by 18 horses.
This year’s Durban July offers a R10-million purse for the big race on 4 July, 2026.

Jockey Kabelo Matsunyane celebrates riding "Winchester Mansion" to the 2023 crown (Getty Images).

One of the standout features of the 2026 Durban July is the strong female presence in the final field. After no female runners in 2024 and only one in 2025, this year’s race includes five, giving the contest a different feel and a wider range of storylines.

Wish List and Mocha Blend look the most prominent among them. Wish List, trained by Justin Snaith, has drawn well in gate seven and brings a progressive profile into the race. She also has the experience of Andrew Fortune in the saddle, which could be valuable in a race where timing and judgment are everything.

The local talent factor

Mocha Blend, from the Frank Robinson yard, has drawn wider in gate 13, but she gives the local KwaZulu-Natal contingent a strong representative. Greyville often rewards horses that can handle the occasion and local knowledge may prove useful in a race where small margins matter.

Minogue adds another notable angle, with Tammy and Candice Dawson aiming to become the third female trainers to win the Durban July. That would be a significant achievement in one of South African racing’s most historic events.

How will the male runners fare?

The male runners may dominate the numbers, but the female runners give this year’s July extra texture. If one of them can produce a peak run on the day, the 2026 race could be remembered not just for its prize money, but for a landmark result.

View the latest race odds here.