August 2025 News

James and Louis on the Double at the Country Course

African Horse Sickness injections, the BSA Sales, and then many abandoned race meetings in Cape Town was the order of the day for long suffering punters for the month of August. However, the end of the month brought a change of scenery when racing switched to Durbanville Racecourse, arguably the prettiest racecourse in South Africa and affectionately known as the country course.

The horses in the James Crawford stable, and previously the Brett Crawford stable, just seem to thrive at Durbanville and the last meeting of August was no exception. Miss William and Heal And Soul provided the stable with a double, both given brilliant rides by Louis Mxothwa, who shared doubles with Richard Fourie and Juan-Paul Van Der Merwe at the Country Course on Saturday.

MISS WILLIAM

Age: 4 (at last run)
Sex: f
M/Rating: 75 (at last run)
Owner: Mrs D J Sherrell & Mr L Sherrell
Breeder: La Berg Stud
Trainer: J Crawford
Breeding: William Longsword – Hopeitsaprize (ARG) by Pure Prize (USA)
Colours: Black, white sleeves, black armbands and cap, white peak

Miss William finished in the top three in her first three racecourse appearances and seemed set her break her Maiden. However, her next two runs were run after heavy rains had been encountered in the Cape in May and June. James then decided to put her away for the remainder of the rainy season, bringing her back in the sunshine at Durbanville racecourse and she did not disappoint.

Despite the stable thinking she might just need the run, she jumped well from her good draw of two, immediately taking up the running. Jockey JP Van Der Merwe was having none of that though, pushing Hazel Green around horses to take up the running as the field spun into the straight. Hazel Green was still running strongly in front as the field went through the 200M, but now Louis was hard at work bridging the two length gap the leader had over Miss William.

Miss William edged into the lead with 100M to go but now had to hold off the low flying One Dance under the typical Richard Fourie drive, and despite coming up for air at the 50M Louis kept driving away to keep her head in front at the line. A good win for the Sherrell’s daughter of William Longsword, under a brilliant ride from Louis to give James his first winner of the new season in Cape Town.

Miss William breaks her Maiden under a brilliant Ride from Louis

Miss William breaks her Maiden – Winning Interviews

Five races later and James and his brains trust were back in the Winner’s Enclosure this time for the Murugasa Family. Heal and Soul had started his career in very good fashion, breaking his Maiden at the first attempt when winning a very good race under Kabelo Matsunyane over the stiff 1200M straight at Kenilworth.

HEAL AND SOUL

Age:     4 (at last run)

Sex:     g

M/Rating:        77 (at last run)

Owner: Mr P M Murugasa

Breeder:          Ridgemont Highlands

Trainer:            J Crawford

Breeding:        Rafeef (AUS) – Hope Solo by Silvano (GER)

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

He’s form since that breakout win has been slightly below par, with his merit rating dropping from an 86 to a 77, but he has always been highly rated by the stable. He was given a break after his fourth start, then two comeback runs with the last one being particularly good finishing just over two lengths off the Bass trained What A Fortune. Stepped up to 2000M on Saturday was what he was looking for, and he was brilliantly assisted from the saddle by Louis.

Jumping from a middling draw of six, Louis allowed Heal and Soul to find his stride as the field went down the back stretch, being about eight lengths off the leader as the started taking the bend into the home stretch. Louis now eased him off heels as the spun into the stretch giving him a clear run down the centre of the course.

He showed a beautiful turn of foot as Louis pushed the accelerator at the 400M, gliding up to them at the 200M. Louis then got stuck into him in the last 200M to keep his mind on the task at mind quickening away from the pacemaker Baton Rouge and a running on Elegant Noble. He then had to withstand a late challenge from Master Of Paris but had enough in hand to win a very good race.

 Heal And Soul confirms his early promise to win for the Murugasa Family

Heal And Soul Wins under a Top ride from Louis – Winning Interviews

After a stop start commencement of racing in Cape Town, the rains seems to have lessened, the sun is shining, and we are back at Durbanville for the foreseeable future. James and his Team had to wait for the second last day of the month to kickstart their visits to the winner’s enclosure in Cape Town, but the double could see the machine back in full swing in the weeks and months to come. When the stable starts purring, that’s when you must watch them, as doubles and even trebles on the day are not out the realms of possibility for this incredibly hard working and talented stable.

Timothy Woodruff – Just keeps the Winners ticking over

When it comes to this time of the year, with African Horse Sickness injections, TBA Sales and the zero rain in the Gauteng region, means that it is tough to get horses race ready which is the main reasons for the smaller fields on the Highveld.

Despite only having three horses entered for the entire month, Timothy continued his exceptional strike rate in the Highveld, bringing home a winner for Darma and Lance Sheryl in the form of Luce Verde, under the expert guidance of the in-form Callan Murray.

LUCE VERDE

Age:     5 (at last run)

Sex:     g

M/Rating:        86 (at last run)

Owner: Mrs D J Sherrell & Mr L Sherrell

Breeder:          Boland Stud

Trainer:            J Crawford

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

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

After having won twice in Cape Town and then losing his form temporarily, the Sherrell’s and James decided to send him to Timothy in Gauteng. After a three-month break which included the son of Gimmethegreenlight moving to the Highveld base, he had his first run, finishing a good third at long odds on his debut.

His second run after the rest was even better for his owners and the stable. The Ultimate King is a highly touted colt from the Tony Peter stable and jumped deep in the red for this contest. Luce Verde showed good gate speed from the jump as Callan allowed him to settle towards the rear of the field as the field came down the back stretch.

He maintained that position as the field cornered for home and as the field came off the false rail. Callan was now asking for an effort, and Luce Verde did not disappoint. He showed a good turn of foot and galloped well all the way to the line to hold off a sustained late run from the warm order favourite, stretching well all the way to the line to give James, Timothy and the team their first winner for the new season.

Luce Verde beats The Ultimate King in good fashion under a good ride from Callan

The rains will be coming soon, the ground will soften, the grass will be green, and the season will kick into gear as we wind down towards the end of the 2025. With Timothy having the first winner of the season for the stable, and James adding a double in Cape Town on Saturday to kickstart the new season, we should see more representatives from the stable running in Gauteng in the coming weeks and months for Timothy to add to that strike rate.

In the Saddle with Gwen and Brett all the way from Hong Kong

When Brett Crawford received his licence to train and race in Hong Kong, he knew he was stepping into a whole new world. With Gwen MacGregor by his side, the pair left behind a thriving South African operation to build something bold and new in Asia’s racing capital. We caught up with Gwen for a candid chat about their journey so far—from tropical humidity to treadmills and everything in between.

From Cape Town to Sha Tin: The Big Move

Q: How has the transition from South Africa to Hong Kong been—personally and professionally?

Gwen: “It’s been… interesting! The heat and humidity are next-level, and we’ve had to adjust quickly. Professionally, Brett’s found it challenging but exciting. Starting from scratch in a new country was never going to be easy, but he’s thrown himself into it—meeting owners, building relationships, and learning the ropes. The language barrier pops up now and then, but we’ve become quite resourceful!”

Racing Culture Shock? Not Quite

Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in adapting to Hong Kong’s racing scene?

Gwen: “Honestly, the racing environment here is a dream. It’s incredibly professional and efficient—everything works, and every detail is considered. From stable equipment to race-day logistics, it’s the most polished experience and equal to anything anywhere in the world.”

Olympic Stables: A Trainer’s Paradise

Q: How are your Facilities and Stables?

Gwen: “We’re based at the Olympic stables, which are peaceful and spacious—perfect for the horses. The addition of treadmills has been a huge plus for rehab and alternative training. The welfare of the horses is clearly top priority, and no expense is spared.”

Support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Q: How has the HKJC helped you settle in?

Gwen: “They’ve been fantastic. We’ve attended end-of-season functions where we met many prospective owners, which helped us build our stable. Their support has been invaluable.”

Building a Stable, One Conversation at a Time

Q: How are you recruiting horses and owners in this new market?

Gwen: “Lots of talking! Brett’s been at every race meeting since we arrived, introducing himself to as many owners as possible. We’ve also received a syndicate horse from the Jockey Club, which is a great start. Of course, being new means, we sometimes get horses with a few quirks—but we take it all in stride.”

South African Bloodlines in Hong Kong?

Q: Are there any plans to bring SA horses over to your stable in the future?

Gwen: “Definitely! There’s strong interest in South African horses, and we’d love to bring some in. Logistics are tricky right now, so it may only happen next season. But we’re keeping an eye out for promising prospects.”

Stable Stats & Future Growth

Q: How many horses are currently in your stable?

Gwen: “We’ve got 26 horses at the moment, and we’re hoping to grow that number soon!”

What Makes a Hong Kong Racehorse unique?

Q: What types of horse thrives in Hong Kong racing?

Gwen: “They need to be tough, sound, and mentally sharp. Races aren’t long, and the tracks can be demanding. Horses run often, so keeping them focused and interested is key. South African horses are built for this—we think it’s a market worth tapping into.”

Looking Ahead

From the sweltering heat to the high stakes racing scene, Brett and Gwen have embraced every challenge with grit and grace. Their story is one of bold moves, big dreams, and a whole lot of heart.

A massive thank you to Gwen and Brett for answering our questions with honesty and passion. With the new season on the horizon, we wish the stable many winners, many wonderful moments and hopefully more updates as the season progresses.

BSA Sales – Yearlings bought & Syndication Opportunities

In South Africa, the horseracing sales calendar wonderful rhythm, an ebb and flow of opportunity and ambition. Key Sales events include the Cape Yearling Sale in March, the National Yearling Sale in April, the KZN Yearling Sale in July, and the Two-Year-Old Sale in October. These sales are more than just commercial exchanges but also the heartbeat of the racing industry, where dreams of glory begin. As the dates approach, anticipation builds across stables and syndicates.

The sales venues buzz with energy, and every horse walking into the ring carries the possibility of becoming the next champion to grace the turf. Prospective owners, seasoned trainers, and racing stables dive deep into catalogues, poring over pedigrees and performance records with laser focus. Bloodlines are dissected, conformation photos scrutinized, and past progeny analysed. It’s a blend of science, instinct, and hope. The thrill lies in the chase of trying to find that one yearling that will blend all the different attributes to become a champion.

At the August 2025 Bloodstock South Africa Two-Year-Old Sale, James bought two colts, one out of sire Heavenly Blue and the other Futura, one of the stars of the Crawford Stable during his racing career.

SEE PEDIGREE

SEE PEDIGREE

The stable has syndicated three incredibly well bred, beautiful colts, with detailed information on their breeding provided below. For any questions or enquiries about the possibility of direct ownership or joining a syndicate, please contact James or his team of professionals

James and his team are committed to providing honest and straightforward answers to all your questions, no matter how big or small. We invite you to become a part of Crawford Racing and look forward to assisting you with your enquiries.

Race Record – Gold Standard

3 wins, 1600m at 3; Rated MR 117

at 3 WON Gr2 Selangor Cup (1600m)

WON Racing Association S.-(L) (1600m)

2^nd Gr1 Cape Guineas (1600m)

4th Gr1 Sun Met (2000m)

Race Record – Malmoos

R4.4m yearling; 7 wins, 1200-2450m, at 3

Won SA Triple Crown; Rated MR 125

WON Gr1 SA Classic (1800m)

WON Gr1 SA Derby (2450m)

WON Gr2 Gauteng Guineas (1600m)

WON Gr2 Selangor Cup (1600m)

WON Gr3 Graham Beck S. (1400m)

Race Record – Elusive Fort

In South Africa & USA, 7 wins, 1300-2450m, at 3 to 5; MR 113

Equus Champion Male Stayer in 2006

At 3yo – WON Gr1 SA Derby (2450m)

WON Gr1 Daily News 2200 (2200m)

WON Sea Cottage S.-(L) (1800m)

 2nd Gr1 SA Classic (1800m)

At 4yo – WON Gr1 Horse Chestnut S. (1600m)

WON Gr2 Hawaii S. (1400m)

At 5yo – 2nd Gr3 Appleton Hcp (1800m) (in USA)