October 2025 News

NINE Winners at HWB Durbanville for Crawford Racing

Hollywoodbets Durbanville has consistently provided favorable results for Crawford Racing, dating back to the early days when dad Brett led the team during the transition to the Country Course each spring. Fast forward to present and now it is James at the helm, but the winners have not dissipated. October has been an immense month for the stable, as they booted home nine winners, which included noteworthy assistance from the saddle of the jockeys of those nine winners.

Dame Of Trix began their incredible run, but this win, as well as Festival Chic, are included in the joint Rides of the Month Segment. Reet Petite is the focus horse for the Month of October, as she was ultra impressive in her win and is profiled in the Horse of the Month segment.

RED BERYL

Age:                    3 (at last run)

Sex:                    f

M/Rating:        82 (at last run)

Owner:             Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

Breeder:          Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

Breeding:        The United States (IRE) – Sapphire Gem by Trippi (USA)

Colours:       Blue, white square, blue sleeves, and cap

After running a creditable fifth on debut to Queen Regent in a strong Maiden race over 1250M, Red Beryl was stepped up to 1400M at her next run. She jumped alertly from her three draw as race jockey Louie Mxothwa slotted her onto the rail as the field made their way down the back stretch. He continued to hold her together as the field spun into the straight, starting to become more urgent as the field went through the 400M mark.

As the field came off the false rail, he allowed her to stride to the front, running strongly over the last 300M to repel the strong late surge of Lilting Song winning by just under a length. The daughter of The United States, owned by Drakenstein Stud, looks to be a filly with plenty of scope and will continue to improve as her career progresses.

Red Beryl wins impressively at the second time of asking

Red Beryl breaks her Maiden under a strong ride from Louie – Winning Interview

FOX ON THE RUN

Age:                 3 (at last run)

Sex:                 c

M/Rating:     87 (at last run)

Owner:          Hollywood Racing (Nom: Mr A Delpech)

Breeder:        Ridgemont Highlands

Breeding:      Canford Cliffs (IRE) – Quick Brown Fox (AUS) by Foxwedge (AUS)

Colours:      Yellow, purple stars, yellow cap, purple star

It is not often that James races a horse twice in the space of two weeks, but Fox On The Run is a big robust colt who takes his runs in his stride. After running a good second to Gold Giboski on debut, James stepped him out twice in October, and he did not disappoint.

The son of Canford Cliffs, out of the mare Quick Brown Fox and owned by Hollywoodbets has always been rated by the stable since he came into the yard. Ironically, the Dam of Fox On The Run, Quick Brown Fox was owned by Ridgemont and trained by Brett when she was at the peak of her powers during her racing career.

She was an absolute ball of speed, but he has a mixture of the sires’ stamina and the dam’s speed which he displayed when winning both his races this month. On debut, on the 15^th of October, he beat the Paddy Kruyer trained Fast Train by just under two lengths and was ridden by Hollywoodbets sponsored race jockey, Sean Veale.

He showed good gate speed from the jump which allowed Sean to settle him just off the pace as the field took the bend into the straight with Sean continuing to nurse and nurdle him onto the bit as the field spun into the stretch. As the field approached the 300M, a few right-handed cracks of the whip and some urging from the saddle saw him surge past the leaders and win full of running by just under two lengths, a good win on his second visit to the racecourse.

Fox On The Run breaks his Maiden in impressive fashion under a good ride by Sean Veale

Fox On The Run wins on Debut – Winning Interview

His second win was even more impressive. Fourteen days later and he was back at the racecourse, this time ridden by Richard Fourie and running against some hard knocking Class Four horses, he had to work much harder to win the third start of his burgeoning career. Jumping from a good four draw, he settled midfield as the field stretched down the back stretch.

As they turned into the home straight, and with the better going on the day being middle/outside, JP Van Der Merwe (on Pomp It Up) and Richard went for the same gap at the 400M, Pomp It Up pushing Richard and Fox On The Run to his inside. Richard had had no choice but to continue to make his run in the inferior going down the middle/inside of the Hollywoodbets Durbanville straight.

Fox On The Run and Richard were in a determined mood though, and after a couple of right-handed cracks of the whip, a couple of left-handed and the Richard drive, the son of Canford Cliffs showed true grit and class, just continuing to put his head in front to win a very good race.

Fox On The Run makes it two in a Row under the Richard Fourie Drive

Fox On The Run – a fortnight after his debut win, wins again – Winning Interview

COCO’S HERO

Age:     3 (at last run)

Sex:     c

M/Rating:        86 (at last run)

Owner: Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd

Breeder:          Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd

Trainer:            James Crawford

Breeding:        Fire Away (USA) – Miss Coco (IRE) by Galileo (IRE)

Colours:           Yellow, black stripe, striped sleeves, yellow cap

After struggling on debut in the wet over the sprint trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, Coco’s Hero was stepped up to a 1600M where he improved seven lengths on his debut performance. He was then stepped up a further furlong this time in good going over the 1800M, winning well and breaking his Maiden by just under two lengths.

He was back at Hollywoodbets Durbanville a month later, again over 1800M, with regular pilot Craig Zackey in the saddle. Jumping well from a two draw, he settled just behind regular pacesetter Baton Rouge as the field went down the back straight. He maintained that position around the turn but as they rounded the turn entering the straight, he hit a flat spot, and Craig had to start riding him from the top of the straight. The whip was out as well to keep his mind on the job, and this had the desired effect as he responded to the urgings, bridging the gap between him and the leader.

He took up the running with 200M to go, but Craig was now giving him a kinder ride, as he quickened past the leader to hit the line full of running, eventually winning by a length from the battle-hardened frontrunner Baton Rouge. During the post-race interview, Craig noted that 1800M is at the lower limit of his range for the Khaya Stables owned colt, indicating that his optimal performance will be evident only when he competes at the marathon distances.

Coco’s Hero makes it two wins on the bounce under the expert guidance of Craig Zackey

Coco’s Hero – Winning Interview

STRAWBERRY THIEF

Age:                  4 (at last run)

Sex:                  f

M/Rating:      86 (at last run)

Owner:           Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer

Breeder:         Ridgemont Highlands

Breeding:       Canford Cliffs (IRE) – Crimson Blossom (IRE) by Danehill Dancer (IRE)

Colours:      Dark green, blue sleeves, white cap

Strawberry Thief is an enigma. As James explained in the post-race interview, the stable had galloped her with two stable companions, and she had put up an exceptionally good gallop. The first two horses ran on par with their gallop in their respective next races, whereas she finished downfield at her start at the end of September, which left the stable scratching their heads. However at her next run at the end of October, she rediscovered that verve and zest, with the assistance of the maestro, Richard Fourie in the saddle.

Having to be ridden along from the break as is her want, rather than push her to sit up with the pace, Richard just allowed her to switch off at the back of the field. As the field spun into the stretch, he allowed her to idle at the back of the field under the hands until the field came off the false rail when he got to work on her.

The Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer owned daughter of Canford Cliffs takes a vigorous ride, and as they moved through the 200M mark Richard was hard at work, right-handed, left-handed cracks of the whip and she powered between horses to win a good race. As temperamental as she is, she is talented, and more wins could follow when Miss Strawberry is in the mood.

Strawberry Thief quickens impressively under Richard Fourie to record her third win

Strawberry Thief – Winning Interview

MISS WILLIAM

Age:                4 (at last run)

Sex:                f

M/Rating:    76 (at last run)

Owner:          Mrs D J Sherrell & Mr L Sherrell

Breeder:        La Berg Stud

Breeding:      William Longsword – Hopeitsaprize (ARG) by Pure Prize (USA)

Colours:     Black, white sleeves, black armbands and cap, white peak

Miss William is a very consistent horse, having only finished out of the top three twice in her nine-race career and both those unplaced runs came when the going was soft. Her last four runs were at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, when the going was on top, and she had run a third, second and had two wins in those runs.

On a beautiful summers’ day in Cape Town, I was fortunate enough to have meandered down to Hollywoodbets Durbanville for this racemeeting and in this race, all the talk was for one horse, the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight from the Eric Sands Yard, Calanque. Alistair, Grant, and Vicky were of one accord, Callanque would win, which allowed Miss William to drift from an opening call of 6/1 all the way to 16/1.

Ridden by Gareth Wright and jumping from a ten draw, Miss William showed good gate speed and worked hard to overcome the draw. However, Gareth could not get her to the lead and had to slot in behind the pacemakers (one of them being Calanque) in third spot as they rounded the turn into the home stretch. As they came through the 400M Calanque came forward to take up the running, but Miss William was still full of running right behind her.

Gareth gave her a couple of backhanders as the field went through the 200M and she, as Brandon Bailey said from the commentary box, “just sailed on by” with Gareth just showing her whip to keep her mind on the job. A particularly good win for a very consistent filly, and my R10 win bet was never happier.

Miss William wins well under a good ride from Gareth Wright

Miss Willim – Winning Interview

Nine Winners in Cape Town, Four Winners in Gauteng, thirteen winners in Total for the month of October for Crawford Racing. A phenomenal achievement from a resolute, hardworking, and talented stable that has struck peak form just as the Cape Summer Season is about to move into top gear.

The one thing you can be sure about though is that Crawford Racing will not be sitting back now and admiring their achievements for the month of October. They will be plotting the way forward to an even bigger and better future for not only their incredible owners, but also their professional staff. Onwards and Upwards.

Horse of the Month – Reet Petite on track for Graded Races?

The World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas, to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 7 December 2025, is one of the jewels in the crown of the Cape Summer Season. Despite many factors working against her in her first two runs, Reet Petite has put up her proverbial hand to be considered as a runner in this prestigious race. James and his team, in conjunction with owners Ridgemont Stud (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer will be discussing the possibility of entering her for the Graded events as the nomination dates draw closer.

REET PETITE

Age:                  3 (at last run)

Sex:                  f

M/Rating:      79 (before her last win)

Owner:           Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer

Breeder:         Ridgemont Highlands

Breeding:       Rafeef (AUS) – Super Elegant by Daylami (IRE)

Colours:      Dark green, blue sleeves, white cap  

On debut she overcame numerous obstacles, including a wide draw, being green and having to come from the tail end of the field to win well. Her second run was even more impressive, as she not only had to overcome a field of hard knocking older fillies, but also, a tardy jump and another wide draw.

The wide draw meant she had to take her medicine as race jockey Richard Fourie had to slot her in at the back of the field as they went down the back stretch. As they took the turn, race commentator Alistair Cohen, mentioned that “she would have to be fairly good to win from here.”

At the 400M she still had to make up seven lengths as Richard switched her from the inside rail to make her run down the middle of the course. That was exactly what she needed and two or three cracks with the left-handed stick and she made up those seven to eight lengths in a matter of strides to win and to quote Alistair again, “far easier than the winning margin suggests.”

She hit the line full of running with Richard looking right and left as she eased to her second win in as many starts, the second win being even more impressive than her debut. James also mentioned in the post-race interview that she still has more improvement to come as he does not think that Richard had gone through all the gears yet in her second victory, and therefore the sky could be the limit for this young lady.

Reet Petite Turn of Foot is Ultra Impressive

Reet Petite – Two from Two – Winning Interviews

The stable and her owners will focus on each race individually as she continues her career, but her two impressive wins suggest she may emerge as a contender in the upcoming Cape Summer Feature Races. Her two wins have had the professionals scrambling for their notebooks to ensure that they do not forget the name – Reet Petite.

Ride of the Month – Louie and Nichola share the Honours

It is not often when you ponder the ride of the month accolade and just cannot split two jockeys who both were strong, balanced, and fearless in the finish to both win their respective races. Louie Mxothwa was brilliant in the finish but thought he had run second, and Nichola Yuen had gone toe to toe and stride for stride with arguably the best jockey in South Africa, Richard Fourie and won, in the boardroom.

FESTIVAL CHIC

Age:                   4 (at last run)

Sex:                    f

M/Rating:        93 (at last run)

Owner:              Mr P M Murugasa

Breeder:           Klawervlei Stud

Breeding:        William Longsword – Jamboree by Black Minnaloushe (USA)

Colours:        Green, black epaulettes, blue sleeves and collar, green cap

Having won three times and run in two graded races, Festival Chic was bringing a touch of class to this midweek Middle Stakes race. Having finished just under three lengths off the winner in a Gr 2 in her last run, she was dropping in class at a course where she had recorded two of her three wins. She jumped well, showing good gate speed as the gates crashed open, despite fighting Louie for the first 200M of the race.

She swung into the stretch midfield and between the 500M and 300M she seemed to hit a flat spot before Louie switched her to the middle of the course. However, in the last 200M she was flying at the leader Pink Pigeon and despite Pink Pigeon’s jockey Muzi Yeni gave a little salute as they hit the line, the photo showed that Festival Chic had nabbed her in the shadow of the post to win a very good race for Mr Murugasa under a brilliant ride from Louie.

Festival Chic wins well under a brilliant ride by Louie

Festival Chic – Winning Interviews

DAME OF TRIX

Age:                5 (at last run)

Sex:                m

M/Rating:    81 (at last run)

Owner:         Mrs G MacGregor, Messrs J N A Mantel, E G van den Berg & J J Zandberg

Breeder:       Rathmor Stud (Nom: Mr M J A Ferreira)

Breeding:     Vercingetorix – Mystery Dame by Jet Master

Colours:     Blue, broad yellow stripe, blue sleeves, yellow armbands, yellow cap, blue

After arriving in South Africa under the mentorship of Ms Amy Chan, Headmistress of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, and guidance from consultant Felix Coetzee, Nichola Yuen partnered Dame Of Trix to her first South African win and in the process capturing the attention of racegoers at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Felix Coetzee, renowned for his partnership with the distinguished trainer Terrance Millard—the grandfather of Timothy Woodruff, who currently supervises Crawford Racing’s Gauteng yard—was among the first jockeys to transition from South Africa to Hong Kong, paving the way for others in the profession.

Although Dame of Trix had won on debut and then run two seconds at her subsequent visits to the racecourse, her next four runs were below par. She was then rested for six months before her reappearance on the 05th of October. From a draw of five, Nichola had her out of the gates in a flash, taking her to the head of affairs as the field started taking the bend into the straight.

Nichola continued to hold the daughter of Vercingetorix together as they continued through the 300M as Richard Fourie was now galvanising Demanding Dave to go and collar Dame of Trix, but Nichola continued to keep her balanced and showed great strength in the finish. Unfortunately as the two horses came together at the 100M Nichola’s whip was accidently knocked from her hand and gave her a bump just before the line. After the Stipes called for a race review, James lodged an objection against Richard and Demanding Dave for interference in the latter stages. This objection was upheld and Dame Of Trix recorded her second win for owners’ Mrs G MacGregor, Messrs J N A Mantel, E G van den Berg & J J Zandberg.

Dame Of Trix and Nichola wins in the Boardroom after a pulsating finish

Dame of Trix wins in the Boardroom – Winning Interviews

Two brilliant rides, the one flying from midfield to collar the pacemaker on the line, the other from the front, collared in the last stride after having her whip accidently knocked from her hand, and having to win the Race in the Boardroom.

Two different ways to win a race, but that does not detract from the rides of Louie Mxothwa and Nichola Yuen. Both were brilliant in the finish, showing great poise, great balance, great strength and the fortitude to continue riding all the way to the finish to win their respective races, despite the one being in the shadow of the post and the other in the bright lights of the boardroom.

Timothy Woodruff – Just keeps the winners flowing in Gauteng.

Whisper it softly, Timothy Woodruff is becoming the king of the Strike Rate. When a horse moves to his Randjesfontein yard, he takes his time with settling them into the Yard. He then gets them race fit, enters them in a race, and in a high percentage of times, they run into the top four.

In October he sent out eighteen horses across the Vaal and Turffontein and thirteen of those ran into the first four, including four winners. The strike rate across the top four was 70%, and the strike rate for his three winners was just under 25%, particularly good for a young trainer who has only been in the job for just over six months.

 LUCE VERDE

Age:                 5 (at last run)

Sex:                 g

M/Rating:     92 (at last run)

Owner:           Mrs D J Sherrell & Mr L Sherrell

Breeder:        Boland Stud

Breeding:     Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Monpazier by Silvano (GER)

Colours:    Black, black, and white hooped sleeves, white cap, black peak

First up on the 02^nd of October was the Sherrell’s Luce Verde. Having won twice and been placed five times from ten starts in Cape Town, he has just blossomed since relocating to Gauteng, winning twice in his first three runs.

The son of Gimmethegreenlight broke well from his gate of five but was then tucked into midfield by Callan Murray as the field moved down the back stretch.

As they took the turn into the long Vaal straight, Luce Verde had about seven lengths to make up on the frontrunners but was travelling well within himself. As they came through the 600M Luce Verde moved up powerfully between horses quickly making up the leeway and through the 300M he struck the front travelling powerfully. He continued with his run all the way to the line hitting the line full of running to win a very good race for the Sherrell’s.

Luce Verde wins his second race on the spin under a good ride from Callan Murray

Two days later and the stable had another winner in the form of ASSM Racing Syndicate’s (Nom: Mr A Chadha) four-year-old son of Querari, Beynac.

BEYNAC

Age:                   4 (at last run)

Sex:                   g

M/Rating:       92 (at last run)

Owner:             ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha)

Breeder:          Dr V Kritzinger

Breeding:       Querari (GER) – Varsity Belle by Var (USA)

Colours:       Grey, dark blue epaulettes and sleeves, dark blue cap, grey stars

Ridden by Marco V’Rensburg for the first time, he displayed good gate speed jumping well from his five draw to settle just off the pacemaker as the field went down the back straight and spun into the stretch. As they turned for home Marco angled Beynac to the outside for his run, the son of Querari still moving well under the hands.

He ran on very strongly and struck the front at the 400M full of running and continued to draw away from the field full of running despite hanging marginally to the inside drawing away to win very comfortably by more than four lengths.

Beynac draws away from the field to win a good race under Marco

MONKEY PUZZLE

Age:                 5 (at last run)

Sex:                 g

M/Rating:     75 (at last run)

Owner:          Messrs R Kieswetter & E G van den Berg, Mrs G MacGregor, Mr A G & Mrs D Turk

Breeder:        Ridgemont Highlands

Breeding:      Canford Cliffs (IRE) – Scent Of Pine by Badger Land (USA)

Colours:     Blue, broad yellow stripe, blue sleeves, yellow armbands, yellow cap, blue peak

Tim’s third winner for the month has also thrived since moving to the City of Gold. Monkey Puzzle’s form had been patchy in Cape Town, but since the relocation he has reeled off three seconds in a row before achieving his Maiden win on 26 October. Breaking from a good draw of two under the expert guidance of Kabelo Matsunyane, he broke well settling just off the pace as the field went through the first 400M.

As the field turned into the straight Kabelo just held him together until the field reached the 400M where he then gave the son of Canford Cliffs his head, and he readily went past the pacemaker. He continued to run strongly all the way to the line, repelling the late surge of Reece’s Wish by just under 1.5 lengths to record his Maiden win for owners’ Messrs R Kieswetter & E G van den Berg, Mrs G MacGregor, Mr A G & Mrs D Turk.

Monkey Puzzle ends a run of three seconds to break his Maiden

DUCHESS OF PALOMA

Age:     4 (at last run)

Sex:     f

M/Rating:        71 (at last run)

Owner: Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix)

Breeder:          Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix)

Trainer:            James Crawford

Breeding:        Royal Mo (USA) – Eyona by Black Minnaloushe (USA)

Colours:           Lime green, black diamond, lime green sleeves and cap, black diamond

Tim’s fourth winner for the month came in the last race meeting of the month in the Highveld, in the form of Duchess of Paloma. Her form had been a touch inconsistent in Cape Town, but since relocating to Johannesburg, she has become a model of consistency. After giving the daughter of Royal Mo a break from racing and settling in period after her relocation, she was stepped out in September running third, the beginning of October running second, and on the second last day of October she broke her maiden.

Callan Murray, who had a nasty fall at Hollywoodbets Durbanville the day before, still travelled to Turffontein to fulfil his riding engagements, and started his day on a winning note for owners Stone Hill Stud. He had the plum draw of one and flashed out of the gates to settle just off the leaders as the field stretched down the back straight and turned into the straight.

Callan continued to track the pacemaker Winds Of Grace to the 300M mark, where he gave Duchess Of Paloma her head and she readily slid up alongside Winds Of Grace. However, the leader found another kick, but Callan was having none of it as he gave her two backhanders, moved a little lower in the saddle and under a strong ride she surged past the pacemaker at the 50M mark to win going away.

Duchess of Paloma breaks her Maiden under a forceful ride from Callan Murray

Timothy Woodruff is not only bringing home the winners for Crawford Racing in Gauteng, but he is also maintaining his high strike rate for his stable running into the top four places. His string is starting to take shape and looks in fighting fettle.

Thirteen winners across Gauteng and Cape Town in October highlight the exceptional form of Crawford Racing. With the Gauteng Summer Cup and Cape Town’s Graded Races fast approaching, the stable’s impressive performance positions them well for continued success at those upcoming meetings.