May 2026 Round Up

Champions Season Begins and the Winners Keep Flowing

As Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal moved into full swing in May, the countdown to the Hollywoodbets Durban July had therefore begun, Crawford Racing (James and Tim) did not miss a beat as they brought home nine winners across the country. Four winners in Cape Town, three in Gauteng and two Graded Races in KwaZulu-Natal were the sum-total of their winners.

Despite Richard Fourie driving home four winners for the stable, pride of place for May goes to Mickaelle Michel. She also brought home four winners, three of those winners (two on Star Major) are included in the Horse of the Month Insert, and the other the Ride of the Month Insert. Chama Mabaya rounds out the winners for the month for a great ride on Hollywood Racing’s three-year-old first-time runner filly, Fashion News.

To round out a month of double-digit winners for the month, Brett brought home his twenty first winner in his debut season in Hong Kong in the form of Rising World, also providing legendary Australian jockey Zac Purton with his 2,000th career winner in Hong Kong, which rounded off a wonderful month for the globetrotting stable of Crawford Racing, writes Hadley Lakay.

TAKE THAT

Age: 3 (at last run)

Sex: f

M/Rating: 77 (at last run)

Owner: Westward Bloodstock Ltd (Nom: Mrs F Carmichael) & Mr J P Koster

Breeder: Westward Bloodstock Ltd (Nom: Mrs F Carmichael), Mrs E Yates & Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd

Trainer:  James Crawford

Breeding: Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Shamrock Wind by Captain Al

Colours: Purple, light green star, purple sleeves, light green stars, purple cap, light green star

After running second on debut and then developing a bout of colic, Take That was off the track for seven months before making her second racecourse appearance for owners Westward Bloodstock Ltd (Nom: Mrs F Carmichael) & Mr J P Koster. Another great training feat from James and his stable in Cape Town, and the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight did not disappoint breaking her Maiden at her second attempt.

Showing good gate speed from an inside barrier she was out in a flash, jockey Richard Fourie easing her to race just off the pacemaker. As the field went through the 400M mark, Richard asked her to go and win her race, and she did that readily as the more he asked the more she gave, hitting the line full of running to win well.

Take That breaks her Maiden in good fashion

Take That breaks her Maiden – Winning Interview

FASHION NEWS

Age: 3 (at last run)

Sex: f

M/Rating: 78 (at last run)

Owner: Hollywood Racing (Nom: Mr A Delpech)

Breeder: Ridgemont Highlands

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Futura – Depeche by Silvano (GER)

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

Chamu (Chama) Mabaya was born on June 13, 1979, and he is 46 years old. He is a highly respected freelance work rider and jockey based at the Randjesfontein training centre and is a regular presence in Gauteng race meetings and rides track work for top conditioners like Mike de Kock, Crawford Racing, and Fabian Habib.

On the 4^th of May he accepted the ride on the Hollywood Racing owned first-time runner, Fashion News for Crawford Racing. Out of the stalls a step slow, Chamu did not panic and allowed her to find her feet as the field rounded the turn into the long Vaal straight and just kept her together as the field went through the 600M.

However, as the field went through the 300M he was now asking for her effort and she responded readily to overhaul the frontrunners and win a very good race full of running. It was a very good ride from Chamu, who thinks that the filly will go further as she matures. He added that she was green, but when he asked her for her effort, the response was immediate. Timothy was also of the opinion she will go further, and the future could be bright for the daughter of Futura and her owners, Hollywood Racing.

Fashion News wins first time at the Racecourse – One to Watch for Hollywood Racing

FUTURE GAMBLE

Age: 3 (at last run)

Sex: f

M/Rating: 80 (at last run)

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

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

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Futura – Captain Gambler by Captain Al

Colours: Blue, white square, blue sleeves and cap

In previous newsletters, I noted that a change is like a holiday for some horses, referring specifically to Future Gamble. Her form since relocating from Cape Town to the Highveld has simply been outstanding. Not a horse to rest on her laurels, she followed up wins in March and April with another win in May, reeling off the hat trick for owners Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert).

While her previous two wins were impressive, this one was probably the most impressive. Jumping from a wide draw of eight, jockey Mickaelle Michel just allowed the daughter of Futura to find her feet at the back of the field. She travelled well into the straight, but at the 600M Mickaelle asked her for her effort.

The response was immediate and she absolutely inhaled the leaders as the field went through the 400M and just kept on widening the margin as she hit the line, winning full of running to win by a widening four lengths. An insightful change of scenery from James to a very good training feat from Timothy. Three in a row and even more could be in the future for Future Gamble.

Future Gamble reels off the hat trick in excellent fashion for Mrs Rupert

IN HOT WATER

Age: 2 (at last run)

Sex: f

M/Rating:  (at last run)

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

Breeder: Ridgemont Highlands

Trainer:  James Crawford

Breeding: Rafeef (AUS) – Icy Fire by Western Winter (USA)

Colours: Dark green, blue sleeves, white cap

On debut, In Hot Water had a very creditable second for owners Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer over the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth straight 1200M in good going. Just over a month later she was stepped out for her second run, over the same course and distance, but this time in soft conditions. However, the daughter of Rafeef is progressive, and she duly broke her Maiden in impressive fashion.

Jumping well from an inside draw of four, In Hot Water tracked the pacemaker through to the 400M when jockey Richard Fourie asked her for her effort. She readily responded to the urgings from the saddle to hit the front as the field went through the 200M. She just continued to respond and stretched clear to break her Maiden in good fashion for owners Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer. A progressive filly who has now proven herself on all types of going, breaking her Maiden at her second attempt and doing it with ease; one to watch.

In Hot Water breaks her Maiden in Impressive fashion under the Richard drive

In Hot Water – Winning Interview

SIGNOR DANTE

Age: 4 (at last run)

Sex: g

M/Rating: 73 (at last run)

Owner: Messrs Ross Kieswetter & L Sherrell & Mesdames G MacGregor & D J Sherrell

Breeder: Piemonte Stud

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Rafeef (AUS) – Awfaa by Silvano (GER)

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

Back to back wins over 1600M and 1800M at the end of 2025 formed an opinion that Signor Dante wanted further with maturity and racing. However, every time James sent him further, he seemed to be fading at the business end of his races. At the end of May he decided to drop him back in distance for his latest run over seven furlongs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the Winter Course.

Jumping from a middling draw of five, he came out a step slow, but Richard Fourie wasted no time in bustling him up to sit just off the pacemakers as the field spun into the stretch. He allowed the son of Rafeef to use his stride and go to the front at the 300M, Signor Dante travelling strongly all the way to the line, repelling all challenges. Richard punched him out all the way to the line in determined fashion and won a good race for owners Messrs Ross Kieswetter & L Sherrell & Mesdames G MacGregor & D J Sherrell.

Signor Dante drops in distance to win well under Richard Fourie

Signor Dante – Winning Interview

MUTINY IN HEAVEN (IRE)

Age: 3 (at last run)

Sex: c

M/Rating: 75 (at last run)

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

Breeder: Ridgemont Stud

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Dark Angel (IRE) – Whats New Pussycat (NZ) by Fast ‘N’ Famous (AUS)

Colours: Dark green, blue sleeves, white cap

Patience is key in horse racing. When a horse has little niggles and setbacks and the owner allows the trainer carte blanche to run the horse when he feels it is ready, can be a challenge. Mutiny In Heaven on debut went down the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, finishing downfield. He was then rested, and his two runs back were much better, as he gradually finished closer to the winners as he stepped up in trip.

At the end of May he stepped another furlong and being racing fit, as it was his third run after the rest, all the patience of owners Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer and James was justified. In a bit of a rough race where many horses were jostled early, the son of Dark Angel showed good gate speed from his draw of three.

After the early bustling, Richard Fourie allowed him to settle just off the pace, tracking the leaders as the field took the bend into the straight. Richard set him alight as the field went through the 300M and Mutiny In Heaven responded like a good horse gliding to the front through the 200M.

He continued galloping strongly all the way to the line to win a little easier than the margin suggested, with Richard still having enough time to have a little wave at the drone and even admire himself on the big screen. A good win for a horse who has now matured and strengthened, a horse who could be progressive as he continues through the ranks.

Mutiny In Heaven wins under a well-timed ride by Richard

Mutiny In Heaven – Winning Interview

Double digit winners will not be able to be achieved every month and there will be challenges as the Season progresses which the respective stables will have to overcome. Crawford Racing (via the stables of James, Tim and Brett) will always strive to give their best for their loyal owners and strive to overcome these challenges to provide the best value proposition for their owners.

Horse of the Month is The Major – Back to Back Black Type

STAR MAJOR

Age: 3 (at last run)

Sex: C

M/Rating: 118 (at last run)

Owner: Neville Isdell, Mr J I Bloch, Mrs Prakashni Pillay & Kalinga

Breeder: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Querari (GER) – Star In The Sky by Silvano (GER)

Star Major has firmly established himself as one of the most formidable competitors on the South African racing scene following an extraordinary month on the track. Trained by Crawford Racing and racing in the silks of Neville Isdell, Mr J I Bloch, Mrs Prakashni Pillay & Kalinga, the talented three-year-old colt boasts an exceptional pedigree, sired by Querari out of the Silvano mare, Star In The Sky. This outstanding lineage has certainly translated into track success, culminating in a remarkable feat of securing two prestigious Graded victories within a period of 28 days.

The impressive streak began in early May when he lined up for the Grade 2 WSB Guineas over 1,600 meters at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. Partnered by globetrotting jockey Mickaelle Michel, who originally arrived in South Africa on a working holiday and has since forged a wonderful synergy with the son of Querari.

The race unfolded perfectly as Mickaelle settled her mount beautifully at the back of the field during the early stages from the wide draw of eight, biding her time until the final 400 meters. Once she asked him for an effort, Star Major unleashed a devastating turn of foot, making up many lengths in the straight and sweeping past his rivals to secure a brilliant victory.

Star Major and Mickaelle Michel Storm to victory in the Gr2 WSB Guineas

Star Major – Winning Interviews for the Gr2 WSB Guineas

Just weeks later, on May 30, the dynamic duo returned to Greyville to contest the Grade 1 Daily News 2000, where they delivered a near carbon copy of their previous triumph. The race was run at a solid tempo with Viva’s Liberte acting as the pacemaker. As they swung into the home straight, Happy Verse made a strong move while the favorite, Note To Self, sought a run up the inside. However, Mickaelle had Star Major in the centre of the track, rapidly made up ground, surging past Happy Verse to win going away in brilliant fashion.

That commanding Daily News 2000 victory was more than just another win; it represented a milestone for everyone involved. The triumph secured the very first Grade 1 winner for James as a standalone trainer. It was equally emotional for Mickaelle, who celebrated her maiden Grade 1 victory after twelve years in the saddle. To complete the fairy tale, the incredible run also marked a posthumous Grade 1 success for Dasrin Pillay.

Star Major scores an emphatic victory under Mickaelle in the Gr1 Daily News 2000

Star Major wins the Gr1 Daily News 2000 – Winning Interviews

Looking ahead, this stellar colt is now one of the favourites for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Based on his undeniable affinity for the Greyville turf and his flawless execution in these two recent Graded races, he must undoubtedly be considered a big runner.

The exceptional colt is campaigned by a passionate and close-knit syndicate. Sharing in this incredible journey are co-owners, Neville Isdell, Mr J I Bloch, Mrs Prakashni Pillay & Kalinga who joined forces with a mutual vision of competing at the highest echelons of South African racing.

The camaraderie among the syndicate members has been a defining element of this fairy-tale run, making the trackside celebrations more special. Experiencing the thrill of back-to-back Graded victories together has forged a bond, perfectly highlighted by the sheer euphoria they shared during the Daily News 2000 trophy presentation.

ROTM – Mickaelle Michel on Women’s World – Just Brilliant

WOMAN’S WORLD

Age: 5 (at last run)

Sex: m

M/Rating: 94 (at last run)

Owner: Messrs E G van den Berg & M B Bloemstein

Breeder: Miss B A M Giddy

Trainer:  James Crawford

Breeding: Global View (USA) – Women’s Rights by Al Mufti (USA)

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

Mickaelle Michel has rapidly become one of the most exciting additions to the South African jockey ranks, bringing a wealth of international flair to the local turf. The French-born globetrotter initially arrived in the country on what was intended to be a working holiday, but her exceptional talent and fierce determination quickly turned it into a career-defining move. Over her twelve years in the saddle, she has ridden in multiple jurisdictions across the globe, but her tenure in South Africa has undoubtedly propelled her into the spotlight, perfectly complementing her fearless riding style.

Mickaelle has also proven her remarkable versatility by continually riding winners across different tracks and provinces. Her incredible work ethic, and ability to quickly understand the nuances of the horses she partners with have made her a highly sought-after jockey for top stables, cementing her status as a formidable force on race day.

Jumping from a four draw down the long Vaal 1600M straight course, the daughter of Global View was allowed to find her stride by Mickaelle as the field raced through the 1200M. She just sat in behind the pace setters as the field travelled through the 600M when she started looking to her outside to allow Women’s World to find a clear passage while maintaining her stride.

She found an out just as Muzi Yeni on the De Kock trained Open Sesame went for home. However, Women’s World was receiving some timely reminders from Mickaelle to go after Open Sesame. The leader had still three to four lengths to spare as the field went through the 200M mark, but now Women’s World was in full cry down the centre. She was catching quickly and as the post loomed, Mickaelle was driving her, and she nabbed the leader in the shadow of the post for a brilliantly ridden win for owners Messrs E G van den Berg & M B Bloemstein.

Women’s World wins brilliantly under a well-timed and forceful drive from Mickaelle

The preparation of Woman’s World on the Highveld falls under the watchful eye of Timothy Woodruff, a man whose surname is synonymous with South African racing. As the grandson of the legendary trainer Terrance Millard and the son of multiple champion trainer Geoff Woodruff, Timothy was quite literally born into the sport.

Taking the reins of the Highveld operation is no small task, but Tim has seamlessly integrated his lifelong knowledge into the stable’s winning formula. Entrusted by James to manage the yard’s day-to-day operations and oversee the progress of talented runners across the province, his deep understanding of the horses and his dedication to the stable’s loyal owners ensure that Crawford Racing remains a powerful and consistent force in Johannesburg.