Brett Crawford – The Winners continue flowing in Hong Kong

The expansion of South African horse racing expertise into the Asian markets continues to yield significant results as the 2025/2026 Hong Kong racing season progresses. Trainer Brett Crawford, formerly based at the Philippi training center in the Western Cape, has successfully adapted his training methodologies to the high-intensity environment of Sha Tin and Happy Valley.

During the month of February 2026, the Crawford stable demonstrated remarkable consistency by securing three victories, which increased his seasonal total to 16 wins. This performance has been documented through data provided by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and various international racing publications, highlighting a strategic approach to race selection and horse conditioning that mirrors his previous success with Gr1 winners in South Africa.

The first of these victories occurred on February 8 at Sha Tin in the Mr Vitality Handicap. Island Buddy, a five-year-old gelding competing in Class 4 over 1400 meters, broke through for a win after a series of competitive but non-winning performances for owner Ng Kun Man. Ridden by jockey Karis Teetan, the horse benefited from a tactical position in fourth place, tracking the pace set by the early leaders.

As the field moved through the final 400 meters, Island Buddy utilized the stamina developed through Brett’s conditioning programs to overtake the tiring pacemakers. The son of Brave Smash finished 1.5 lengths clear of the field. International racing analysts noting the ability Brett and his stable to prepare horses for the specific demands of the 1400-meter trip at Sha Tin has become a defining characteristic of their success this season.

Island Buddy wins well under a brilliantly strong ride from Karis

The stable maintained its momentum and three days later at the Happy Valley circuit. Sovereign Fund, an Australian-bred gelding by the sire Capitalist, competed in the Sam Chuk Handicap, a Class 3 event held over 1200 meters. Despite initial difficulties adjusting to the climate and the unique, tight configuration of the Happy Valley track, the horse showed improved maturity in this outing.

Karis Teetan again provided the riding services, opting to settle the horse in a midfield position along the rail to avoid a fast early lead pace. As the field spun into the stretch, Sovereign Fund found an opening in the center of the track and accelerated all the way to finish under a beautifully balanced ride from Karis. The horse managed to withstand a late challenge from Sports Legend, extending at the line to secure Brett’s 15th win of the season for owners Glenn Chan Wai Cheung & Raymond Chan Ka Shun, displaying his skill in managing the mental and physical health of high-value imports within the competitive Hong Kong stable environment.

Sovereign Fund thriving in his new surroundings wins well under the Karis drive

The third victory of the month took place on Valentine’s Day at Sha Tin in the Prosperity Handicap. Gor Gor, a four-year-old gelding, entered the Class 4 1200-meter race as a highly regarded contender within the stable. The race was characterized by a moderate early tempo, which required jockey Karis Teetan to keep the horse balanced while traveling three wide to avoid traffic issues.

When asked for a final effort at the 300-meter mark, Gor Gor responded with a quick acceleration and in an absolutely pulsating finish three horses flashed past the line as one, with Karis timing the run to perfection which allowed Gor Gor to get the head down where it mattered most, the finish line. This win brought the stable’s seasonal tally to 16 and moved Brett into the upper tier of the Trainers’ Premiership. The performance suggested that the horse possesses the ability to compete effectively in higher classes in future starts for the winning syndicate, the appropriately named for Valentines Day, Apple of my Eyes Syndicate.

Gor Gor wins in a pulsating finish under a brilliant driving finish by Karis

For the month of March Brett recorded another two winners to continue to keep his stable ticking along. On 01 March Brett opened his account for the month with Warrior’s Dream for owners Mr & Mrs Stephen Ho Wai Man, Fred Ho Ka Chun and Derek Ho Ka Chung.

Jumping from a middling draw of six, race jockey Lyle Hewitson used Warrior’s Dream good gate speed to punch forward and settle on the rail about three to four lengths off the leaders as the field moved into the bend. Lyle maintained that position as the field swung for home, when he decided to take the shortest route home down the inside rail.

Warriors Dream responded well to his urgings, and despite the leader quickening at the 200M Lyle was punching away, and the son of Oasis Dream was now in full cry down the inside, reeling in the leader inside the last 50M to hit the line full of running to win a good race for his owners. He showed great courage and determination to get his head ahead in the shadow of the post.

Warrior’s Dream comes with a barnstorming run down the inside under a great ride from Lyle

Brett’s second winners for the month was on the 15^th March when Mr Incredible scored for owner Allen Shi Lop Tak. The son of Toronado was a step slow out of the stalls, but there was no panic from race jockey Karis Teetan. Karis rode him for a couple of strides to make up the ground which he readily did and then settled him midfield as the field negotiated the bend entering the straight.

As the field spun into the stretch Karis asked him for his effort. Momentarily his path was blocked and Karis switched Mr Incredible to one off the inside rail. He was now full of running but needing a gap to open and when it did at the 100M mark, Mr Incredible and Karis exploded through to win a very good race.

Mr Incredible snipes through a gap to win full of running under an inspired Karis Teetan

The success of the Crawford stable in January, February and March 2026 underscores the global nature of modern horse racing and the effectiveness of South African training protocols when applied to the Hong Kong circuit.

By utilizing a consistent jockey-trainer partnership and focusing on horse-specific conditioning, the stable has established itself as a stable to watch in one of the most competitive racing districts in the world.