Mickaelle Michel surely would never have believed in her wildest dreams that she would be aboard the favourite for South Africa’s greatest race: the Hollywoodbets Durban July

Mickaelle Michel will be riding STAR MAJOR trained by James Crawford in the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

To win she will have to defy 43 years of history, even if ignoring the fact that she would become the first female jockey to win the big race.

Read: "Can Mickaelle Defy 43 Years Of History?" in the Sporting Post

Mark Sutherland was the last jockey to ride the winner of the July in his first ride in the great race and that happened in 1983 on the filly TECLA BLUFF, who was the first of the great trainer Terrance Millard’s six July winners.

The previous jockey to achieve the feat was Leslie Mustard, who won on the Des Rich-trained LIGHNING SHOT in 1977 in his first July ride.

Before Mustard one would have to go as far back as 1959 to find another case.