Encountered – Brett wins his First Graded Race in Hong Kong

Encountered – Brett wins his First Graded Race in Hong Kong

Brett Crawford had three winners in Hong Kong for the month of November, (Speedy Smartie, Encountered and Young Horizon) with the most notable being his first Graded success since he arrived in Hong Kong in the form of Encountered, brilliantly ridden to victory in a driving finish by his former South African stable jockey, Karis Teetan.

For decades, Brett has been a leading trainer of the South African turf, a trainer whose name became synonymous with Gr 1 glory and meticulous horsemanship. From the famous training tracks of Philippi in Cape Town to the winner’s circles of the Durban July and the Met, Brett’s résumé was already complete by any standard. Yet, the allure of the global stage was a prospect that his competitive spirit could not resist.

The Hong Kong district is notoriously competitive, a place where reputations are tested daily against the clock and the tote board. Integration into this tight-knit circuit is rarely seamless, yet Brett and Gwen have navigated these waters with the poise of veterans.

Despite a smaller string of horses compared to the established powerhouses of Sha Tin, he quickly began to make his presence felt, saddling numerous winners and proving that his training methods translate perfectly to the unique demands of Hong Kong racing.

However, every trainer knows that while bread-and-butter winners keep the lights on, it is the Group glory that announces your true arrival. That announcement came in November at Sha Tin, in a race that will likely be remembered as the defining moment of Brett, Gwen and their stable’s early Hong Kong tenure. The vessel for this triumph was Encountered, a horse whose career trajectory had become somewhat enigmatic. A previous winner of the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse under trainer David Hall in 2023, the gelding had lost his way, going winless in 18 subsequent starts. 

Karis, now a superstar in Hong Kong, often credits Brett not just for the elite winners they celebrated back home—like the memorable Grade 1 victories with horses such as Jackson and Captain America—but for the life lessons imparted during his formative years. He was a mentor who taught Karis how to navigate life beyond the saddle, making their reunion in Hong Kong a poignant narrative thread in this victory.

The race itself, the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m), was a spectacle of tension and timing. Encountered was not the favorite; punters were wary of his long losing streak. As the gates opened, Karis settled the six-year-old towards the rear, sitting eighth as they swung for home. For a moment, it looked as if the race might slip away as the field was tightly packed, and traffic problems loomed.

But as they straightened, the “Mauritian Magician” found a path down the outside. He peeled Encountered out, and the horse responded with a ferocity that belied his recent form. It was a pulsating finish, a true driving battle to the line. Happy Together, ridden by Alexis Badel, looked to have the race at his mercy, but Encountered dug into reserves that Brett and his stable had meticulously restored. With huge strides, he surged late, creating a driving finish that brought the crowd to its feet.

In a heart-stopping photo finish, Encountered thrust his nose in front to win by a short head. It was a masterclass in timing from Karis and a masterclass in conditioning from Brett. The scenes post-race were emotional. For Brett, this was the “fairy tale” start he had dreamed of—his first graded winner in Hong Kong, achieved with an old ally in the irons. He likened the horse to Jackson, noting the physical similarities that brought memories of their South African conquests flooding back. For Karis, it was a way to repay the faith of a man who had shaped his career.

Encountered gives Brett his first Graded win in Hong Kong under an inspired Karis Teetan Drive

Brett Crawford’s integration into Hong Kong racing is no longer just a story of potential; it is a story of proven success. He has taken a horse that others had written off and polished him back to Group-winning lustre. With James upholding the family name in South Africa and Brett conquering new peaks in Asia, the Crawford dynasty has truly gone global, proving that supreme horsemanship knows no borders.

Written by Hadley Lakay