January 2025 News

Crawford Racing – On the Double 

When a stable has two winners on a Saturday race meeting with the odds on the double being 2400/1, you know that both winners were unexpected not only for the stable but also the owners of both horses. The first winner was wholly unexpected, whereas the second one had the form to be competitive in that handicap grade, but still relatively unexpected according to the bookmakers’ boards and where they priced up the two winners. 

It was the Saturday before the WSB Cape Town Met and all eyes were focussed on Kenilworth Racecourse. Crawford Racing celebrated a remarkable victory with Princessontherun. Despite being overlooked in the betting and starting at 100/1, Princessontherun defied the odds to break her Maiden with a gutsy and determined win.  

Bred from a modest lineage, her pedigree and form in her first three runs did not inspire confidence amongst the betting public or the bookmakers. However, under the expert guidance of JP Van Der Merwe, she broke well and showed good pace staying within the front rank until the 400M.  

JP pushed the button and although the acceleration was not immediate, she continued to grind away down the inside nudging ahead of the field just before the line to win in determined fashion. As Brett said in the interview, the cheeckpieces made all the difference which allowed her to bring her track work to the racecourse and finally showing the ability, they always knew she had.  

Princessontherun breaks her Maiden in determined fashion 

Louis Mxothwa faced a significant setback in his career when he suffered a severe injury at Fairview Racecourse. The incident occurred during a normal Friday race meeting, where Louis was unseated from his mount, resulting in multiple fractures and a lengthy hospital stay.  

Upon his return to the track, riding Aladdin’s Lamp for Crawford Racing, Mxothwa delivered a brilliant ride from the front on the Jason Murugasa gelding. Aladdin’s Lamp, who was slowly regaining his best form after his break in May, jumped well from the good barrier position of 4. Louis dictated the fractions down the back stretch, and Aladdin’s Lamp was given a breather before the field spun into the stretch.  

As the field set sail for home, Louis’s experience and tactical acumen shone through. In the final 200M Louis utilised that conservation of energy around the turn, with the son of Master of My Fate kicking into overdrive in the last 100M and continued strongly all the way to the line.  

A good double for Crawford Racing and a great win for Louis with his first win back after his fall at Fairview Racecourse on what could have been a life altering incident. Louis’s story is a reminder that setbacks are a part of life, but with determination and support, it is possible to overcome them. It was also fitting that his first win after his comeback was for one of stalwarts of Crawford Racing, the Murugasa Family. 

Louis Mxothwa rides a brilliant race from the front on Aladdin’s Lamp 

Alistair Cohen – Your Eye in the Sky 

Alistair Cohen is well travelled for a man that has yet to reach the age of 35. He has commentated in all the major horse racing provinces in South Africa (including Kimberley) and was the voice of the Dubai World Cup in 2022. He then returned to South Africa just as Cape Racing was being revamped and Greg Bortz wasted no time in incorporating Alistair into his team of Cape Racing presenters. 

He has carved a niche for himself in the world of horse racing with his distinctive voice and insightful commentary. Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, Alistair’s passion for race calling was ignited at a young age. Growing up just 400 meters from the Greyville racetrack, he spent countless hours at the track, soaking in the atmosphere and dreaming of one day becoming a commentator.  

Alistair’s professional journey began in 2010 when he joined Phumelela as a trainee race caller. His talent and dedication quickly became evident, and he soon rose through the ranks to become a senior commentator. Throughout his career, he has been fortunate to have several mentors who have guided and supported him.  

In 2021, he achieved a significant milestone in his career when he was appointed as the English-language race caller for the Emirates Racing Authority. This prestigious role saw him covering some of the most high-profile events in the racing calendar, including the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Carnival.  

His tenure in Dubai was marked by his ability to bring the excitement and drama of the races to life for audiences around the world. His clear and engaging commentary earned him the title of the “Voice of the Dubai Carnival,” a testament to his exceptional skills and passion for the sport. 

Despite his success in Dubai, the journey took an unexpected turn when his tenure was abruptly cut short. However, he took this setback in stride and returned to South Africa, where he continued to pursue his passion for race calling. Currently, Alistair holds the position of Senior Manager, Broadcasting and Commentating, for Cape Racing at Kenilworth racecourse. In this position, he coordinates broadcasting products and oversees the overall broadcasting content for Cape Racing.  

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Kenilworth commentary box on a Wednesday Race meeting and recorded him calling a race. The link below gives you race calling from the perspective of the commentator, and what a perspective it is. Apologies for the grainy sound. 

Alistair is married to Gauteng trainer Candice Dawson. Travelling has always been a part of his life, and now even more so he takes every opportunity to travel home to visit his family. He also owns Banha Bridge with his Mom and Dad, an eight-year-old gelding that has won seven races and been placed second eight times.  

Alistair’s journey from a young boy with a dream to a respected figure in the racing community is a testament to his resilience, dedication, and passion for the sport. His ability to captivate audiences with his commentary and his commitment to excellence have earned him a well-deserved reputation as one of the most respected racehorse commentators not only in South Africa, but the world. 

Ride of the Month – Luyolo Mxothwa & Aladdin’s Lamp 

Luyolo (Louis) Mxothwa faced a significant setback in his career when he suffered a severe injury at Fairview Racecourse. The incident occurred during a normal Friday racemeeting at Fairview Racecourse, where Louis was unseated from his mount, resulting in multiple fractures to his body and a lengthy hospital stay. The injury was a major blow to Louis who was becoming a regular feature in the winner’s enclosure in Gqeberha and Cape Town. 

Louis’s journey back to fitness was nothing short of remarkable. Determined to return to the sport he loved, he embarked on an intensive rehabilitation program. The road to recovery was arduous, involving hours of physical therapy, strength training, and mental conditioning. However, his resilience and unwavering determination were evident as he pushed through the pain and setbacks, always keeping his eyes on the goal of returning to race riding. 

Throughout his recovery, Louis received support from his family, friends, and the racing community. This support network played a crucial role in helping him stay focused and positive during the challenging times. His dedication and hard work paid off when he was finally cleared to ride again, marking a significant milestone in his journey. 

Riding Aladdin’s Lamp for Crawford Racing, Mxothwa delivered a brilliant ride from the front on the Jason Murugasa gelding. Aladdin’s Lamp, who was slowly regaining his best form after his break in May. He jumped well from the good barrier position of 4, and Louis dictated the fractions and was given a breather before the field spun into the stretch.  

As the field set sail for home, Louis’s experience and tactical acumen shone through. In the final 200M Louis utilised that conservation of energy around the turn, with the son of Master of My Fate kicking into overdrive in the last 100M and continued strongly all the way to the line.  

The win was a testament to Louis’s determination and passion for horse racing. It marked not only his return to the sport but also a significant personal achievement and his journey from injury to triumph served as an inspiration to many, showcasing the power of perseverance and the human spirit. His brilliant ride on Aladdin’s Lamp was a fitting culmination of his hard work and dedication 

It was a great win for Louis with his first win back after his fall at Fairview Racecourse on what could have been a life altering incident. Louis’s story is a reminder that setbacks are a part of life, but with determination and support, it is possible to overcome them. It was also fitting that his first win after his comeback was for one of stalwarts of Crawford Racing, the Murugasa Family. 

South Africa to Hong Kong 

Captain America, Jackson, Futura, Make It Snappy of yesteryear, and currently Oriental Charm, Fatal Flaw, Pomodoro’s Jet, Frances Ethel, and Winchester Mansion are just some of the names on the role of honour list of Crawford Racing.  

The stable has maintained a double-digit strike rate since Brett obtained his open trainer’s licence in 2010. The tables below display how well the stable has performed across the many years since he has started training. 

Crawford Racing has established itself as one of the premier horseracing stables in South Africa, known for its consistent performance and dedication to excellence. The stable was founded by Brett, a seasoned trainer with a keen eye for talent and a deep understanding of the sport. Over the years, Brett’s expertise and commitment have propelled Crawford Racing to the forefront of the South African racing scene. 

His journey in horseracing began with a passion for the sport and a determination to succeed. His hard work and perseverance paid off as he built a stable that quickly gained a reputation for producing top-quality racehorses. Crawford Racing’s success can be attributed to Brett’s meticulous attention to detail, his ability to identify promising horses, and his unwavering dedication to their training and development. 

In recent years, Brett has been joined by his son, James Crawford, who runs the satellite stable in Gauteng. James has brought a fresh perspective and new energy to the team, further enhancing the stable’s performance. Together, Brett and James have created a formidable partnership that continues to drive Crawford Racing to new heights, from Cape Town to Gauteng and now Hong Kong. 

One of the key factors behind Crawford Racing’s success is its impressive strike rate in Maiden, Handicap and Graded Races. This success is not limited to a specific region; Crawford Racing has excelled in both Cape Town and Gauteng, showcasing its versatility and adaptability. 

Business as usual for Crawford Racing 

(Thanks to Lance at the Sporting Post for allowing me to utilise the article) 

Crawford Racing’s journey from its inception to its status as one of South Africa’s top horseracing stables is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and hard work of Brett and James Crawford.  

Their ability to consistently produce top-quality racehorses and deliver outstanding performances in both Cape Town and Gauteng has solidified their reputation in the racing community. As they continue to build on their success, Crawford Racing, who are already a force in South African Horseracing, now look to take their brand global in a continually ever evolving world.