July 2026 & Season Round Up

James Crawford – SA – Highlights for the Season 2025/2026

The 2025/2026 racing season has been a landmark year for Crawford Racing, marking the first full chapter with James Crawford solely at the helm of our South African operation. James Crawford’s 2025/2026 season was a breakout year, as he assumed full control of Crawford Racing’s South African operation and secured a top-three finish in the Western Cape regional standings, writes Hadley Lakay.

The absolute pinnacle of the campaign was his first solo Gr1 victory with Star Major in the Daily News 2000, which followed the colt’s earlier triumph in the Gr2 WSB Guineas. This success at the highest level was bolstered by further Graded glory, including Fish Tales securing a Gr2 win on the prestigious Gold Cup Day. Throughout the season, James maintained a high standard of excellence, finishing the year with a remarkable 78 national winners and a highly competitive 12.8% win strike rate on his home turf.

Beyond the feature race trophies, the season was defined by exceptional stable depth, highlighted by multiple race-day trebles achieved in both Cape Town and Gauteng. A major catalyst for this growth was the expansion of the Highveld satellite yard under Timothy Woodruff, which saw horses like Duchess of Paloma and Future Gamble thrive through strategic relocations. The stable also proved its expertise in rehabilitation and patience, successfully bringing North Point back from surgery and nursing Reet Petite to an early career hat trick.

August, September, October & November 2025

The stable started well in August with a perfect start at the Hollywoodbets Durbanville country course, where the horses always seem to thrive. James secured an early double with Miss William and Heal and Soul on the second last day of August, while up on the Highveld, Tim Woodruff signaled his intent for the season by bringing home Luce Verde.

This early success across two provinces set a positive tone for the months to follow, proving that the stable was ready to maintain its high standards during this new era. As the season continued into September and October, the momentum began to build, highlighted by the arrival of a special talent in Reet Petite. She overcame wide draws to win twice at Hollywoodbets Durbanville with an incredible turn of foot that had everyone reaching for their notebooks.

Reet Petite Turn of Foot is Ultra Impressive

Reet Petite – Two from Two – Winning Interviews

October turned out to be a good month for the team, with James and Tim visiting the winners’ enclosure thirteen times. This period was defined by the sheer volume of success at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, where horses like Coco’s Hero and Fox On The Run started their own winning streaks, showing the depth of talent we had across the board. The winning culture reached a significant personal milestone for James and his stable in November when he recorded his first career treble as a trainer in his own right at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Reet Petite makes it three from three in impressive fashion

It was a month where the top-class fillies really stepped up; Reet Petite remained unbeaten by completing her hat trick, and the high-class Mon Petit Cherie made a winning return to the track. By this point in the season, the stable was firing on all cylinders, and the synergy between the Cape and Gauteng yards was becoming a force.

As the year ended in December, the focus shifted toward the big holiday features and another display of stable depth. Tim Woodruff orchestrated a flawless day at the Vaal, saddling a memorable treble with Real Stunner, Duchess of Paloma, and Tuscan Romance. The stable also celebrated a big win on Summer Cup day, where Aladdin’s Lamp proved his class by taking the consolation feature.

Tuscan Romance – THREE for the day

January, February, March & April 2026

The mid-season months of January and February were all about consistency and emotional comebacks. We saw the grit of North Point, who returned from a long injury layoff and surgery to win two races in a row at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, rewarding the incredible patience of his owners. February was particularly productive, as the stable purred along to eleven South African winners, another excellent month.

As we moved into March and April, the team began strategically preparing for the prestigious Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal. Even with several race meetings being cancelled due to weather, the winners kept flowing with horses like Future Gamble, who started her own winning run on the Highveld. Whirlwind was also identified as progressive as she showed she had high-class sprinting ability since returning from her injury enforced break.

May, June & July 2026

This period was about fine-tuning the best athletes and ensuring they were ready for the top-tier graded challenges awaiting them in the winter. May 2026 will undoubtedly go down as the highlight of the season, providing James with his first Gr1 victory as a standalone trainer. Star Major was the hero of the month, delivering a spectacular graded double by winning the Gr2 WSB Guineas followed by the Gr1 Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville

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

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

Watching him unleash a devastating turn of foot to beat some of the best three-year-olds in the country was a proud moment for the whole team. It confirmed that James has not only stepped out of the shadows but is building a legacy of his own.

As the season reached its climax in June and July, the stable remained a fixture in the big-race discussions during the Hollywoodbets Durban July festival. While there was a touch of disappointment with Star Major being scratched from the main event, the stable still fielded a “trifecta” of runners in the major features on July Day.

Mon Petit Cherie ran a brilliant second in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, and Royal Tiara showed her potential by finishing second in the Gr2 Golden Slipper. Then, on Gold Cup, Fish Tales made it two from two, winning the Gr2 Umkhmazi Stakes from a wide draw under an inspired ride from Mickaelle.

Mickaelle brings home Fish Tales to win the Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes

Fish Tales – Black Type with his second racecourse appearance – Winning Interview

These performances on the biggest stage in African racing proved that Crawford Racing has grown as a team, refined the training methods, and most importantly, kept the winners flowing. As the stable closes the book on this season, it is done with a sense of pride and excitement for what the 2026/2027 season has in store not only for the stable but also their incredible owners.

Brett Crawford HK – Highlights for the Season 2025/2026

Brett Crawford’s inaugural campaign in Hong Kong was a resounding success, with the seasoned trainer finishing a highly impressive 14th overall on the Hong Kong Trainers’ Premiership log for the 2025/2026 season. Operating out of his Sha Tin base, he successfully established himself in the middle tier of Hong Kong’s world-class training ranks by saddling 28 winners. Throughout the debut season, the stable maintained a highly efficient 7.8% win strike rate and amassed a significant HK$40,487,654 in stakes earnings. This performance put Brett just a fraction away from historic debut-season benchmarks and provided a robust foundation for his stable’s future expansion.

The season’s competitive peak was highlighted by Brett securing his first Graded victory in Hong Kong when Encountered won the Gr3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse under an inspired ride from Karis Teetan. Another major highlight was the rapid development of the talented three-year-old Mr Incredible, who reeled off three wins from four starts and is now touted as a key contender for the 2027 Hong Kong Classic Mile.

Brett also etched his name into local racing history by saddling Rising World to provide legendary jockey Zac Purton with his 2,000th career winner in Hong Kong. From reviving the form of seasoned campaigners like Mugen to achieving multiple race-day doubles at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley, Brett’s first season proved his training methods are a formidable match for the Asian circuit.

August, September, October & November 2025

Brett’s debut season in Hong Kong for 2025/2026 has been a story of bold moves and steady success as he established his new base at the Olympic stables in Sha Tin. Starting from scratch in Asia’s racing capital, Brett and Gwen adjusted quickly to the intense humidity and the highly professional environment of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. By August, the yard was already home to 26 horses, with the team utilizing top-tier facilities, including treadmills and the dual-site training options at Conghua, to get the string race-ready.

The stable didn’t have to wait long for its first taste of success, securing a memorable double at Sha Tin in September. It was poetic that his first Hong Kong winner, Speedy Smartie, was ridden by his former South African stable jockey Karis Teetan, followed quickly by Ninja Derby under Lyle Hewitson. This early brace proved that Brett’s training methods translated perfectly to the competitive local circuit, and it immediately put the yard on the map.

Speedy Smartie wins under Karis to give Brett his first winner as a HK Trainer

Ninja Derby wins under a great ride from Lyle Hewitson to give Brett the Double

As the season progressed through October and November, Brett focused on building relationships with owners and identifying the best roles for his imports. The winners kept ticking over, with the stable celebrating 14 combined winners with the South African yard in October and another 12 in November. It was during this time that the quality of the string really started to show, as Brett and his stable worked tirelessly to integrate new talent while reviving the form of older campaigners.

The absolute highlight of the first half of the season came in November with Brett’s first Graded victory in Hong Kong. Encountered, a horse that had gone winless in 18 starts, found his old spark under Brett’s conditioning to win the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse at Sha Tin. Ridden by Karis Teetan in a heart-stopping photo finish, the victory announced Brett’s arrival as a player in the Group ranks and was a huge emotional milestone for the whole team.

Encountered gives Brett his first Graded win in HK under an inspired Karis Teetan

December 2025, January, February, March & April 2026

December brought another spectacular performance, this time under the lights of Happy Valley. Brett secured his second double of the season on December 3rd with Ninja Derby and Genius Baby. These wins were particularly significant because they showed the stable could win on both the wide-open Sha Tin turf and the tight, tactical city circuit at the Valley. By the end of 2025, the stable was firing on all cylinders, and the momentum was clearly on their side.

Ninja Derby – a masterclass in front running tactics from Lyle

Genius Baby gives Brett a double in Hong Kong under a brilliant ride from Karis

The winning streak continued into early 2026, with the stable reaching a total of 16 seasonal winners by the end of February. This period was marked by the consistency of horses like Island Buddy, Sovereign Fund, and Gor Gor, who all visited the winner’s enclosure. Brett’s ability to keep horses healthy and competitive in the high-pressure Hong Kong environment was earning him a reputation for being one of the most astute conditioners in the region.

March and April saw the stable reach even greater heights, including what many local experts considered a masterclass in training. Brett managed to break a massive 652-day winning drought with Mugen, who stormed to victory in a Class Two handicap at Sha Tin. This rejuvenation project, along with a win by the promising Mr Incredible, brought Brett’s tally for his debut season to 20 winners by the end of April, a very good achievement for any trainer in their first year.

May, June & July 2026

In May, Rising World gave Brett his 21st winner of the season. This specific win was etched into racing history as it provided the legendary Australian jockey Zac Purton with his 2,000th career victory in Hong Kong. It was a proud moment for the Crawford name, occurring just as James was winning his first Gr1 in South Africa, showing that the family’s success truly had no borders.

Brett secures his 21^st win for the season as Rising World gives Zac Purton his 2000^th winner in HK

In June, Mr Incredible confirmed his status as a star on the rise by recording his third win from just four starts, showing a scintillating turn of foot at Sha Tin. The month was rounded off with another two winners, as both All Are Mine and Sovereign Fund secured victories, proving that the horses were finishing the long season in peak physical condition.

Mr Incredible reels off three from four in scintillating fashion

Mr Incredible is an Australian bred gelding by Toronado, raced in Hong Kong by owner Allen Shi Lop tak, with Brett having secured the horse as part of a concerted effort to strengthen his stable with progressive young talent. The gelding arrived with a profile suggesting natural athleticism and scope being progressive. Brett’s team has managed his transition carefully, giving him time to settle into the Hong Kong environment before beginning his racing career.

PI Legend gives Brett his final winner for the season under a driving ride by Karis

In July, King Of Fighters. Beauty Missile and PI Legend all visited the winners’ enclosure to round out a hugely successful debut season for Brett, Gwen and their stable. Looking back on a remarkable debut year, Brett finished his first Hong Kong season with a total of 28 winners. From reviving the career of Encountered to securing a historic milestone for Zac Purton, it has been a fairytale start to his international career. With an established yard and a reputation for excellence, the stable is perfectly positioned to climb even higher in the Trainers’ Rankings as the new season approaches.

The Stables Top Youngsters – 3 to Watch for the new Season

I asked James to do some introspection and advise, which horses, in his considered opinion, are his top three youngsters to watch for the 2026/2027 Season. Now this is not an easy task, as there are unraced two-year-olds who are now turning three who are also showing promise ahead of the new season or could improve dramatically from race to race. However, what we have done is remain within the boundaries of raced horses, and these are his three to watch.

Shezaripper – Filly to follow for the future. Shows immense promise and could be a Feature race filly in the New Season.

In Hot Water – Very immature and a Filly looking for ground. However, with time and experience she could become a very progressive filly.

Fish Tales – impressed us a lot with his last win but is still learning his trade. Once the penny drops, he could be very progressive – See his profile in the ROTM Insert in this Newsletter.

Fish Tales is previewed in the ROTM insert in this Newsletter, and we profile the other two to watch in this insert.

SHEZARIPPER

Age: 2 (at last run)

Sex: f

M/Rating: (at last run)

Owner: ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha)

Breeder: Mr Geoffrey van Lear

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Rafeef (AUS) – Schippers by Var (USA)

Colours: Grey, dark blue epaulettes and sleeves, dark blue cap, grey stars

After winning on debut, Shezaripper then went on to run in a Gr3 against the colts finishing second, and then another Listed event again against colts where she ran below par. She came back to her best in her next start, finishing second to the highly touted Grapes of Wrath. Her four runs against mixed company in two of those four runs, has seen her finish in the top two in 75% of her starts.

Shezaripper runs second in the Listed Irridescence Stakes at Durbanville

Her one below par run was in very soft conditions, and with the weather starting to turn as the new season starts, she will see better conditions, less soft ground and she will continue to grow and mature, and continue to improve for her owners ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha). One to watch as season progresses.

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. 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

In Hot Water will also grow and mature as the new racing season progresses, and that progressiveness that James sees in her will come to fruition. She has the stride that makes one think that she will also prefer the better going of the summer months, as well as the long straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when she goes around the turn, as her breeding suggests she should. She could be another candidate for those Graded Races for her high profile owners as she continues to progress.

ROTM – Mickaelle Brings Home Fish Tales to Win the Gr2

Fish Tales made a strong impression on debut when winning down the Turffontein straight, announcing himself as a promising new addition to the Crawford Racing yard in their Gauteng Yard, overseen by assistant trainer Timothy Woodruff. Winning well on debut, Fish Tales was then entered for the Gr2 Umkhmazi Stakes over 1200M at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Gold Cup Day. Despite being drawn wide at twelve, the confidence was quiet from James and Tim, and that confidence was well founded.

Sex: c

M/Rating: (at last run)

Owner: Messrs Raphael Goolam, Tony Moodley & Selvan Naidoo

Breeder: Ascot Stud (Pty) Ltd

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Heavenly Blue (AUS) – Caviar by Var (USA)

Colours: Red and yellow checks, emerald sleeves and cap

On debut, Fish Tales drew clear to win with authority, completing a performance that suggested he has both natural ability and a professional attitude. The way he travelled, quickened, and sustained his run indicated that he has the potential to progress further as he gains experience. For Crawford Racing, it was a pleasing first outing from a horse who handled the straight course with maturity and delivered a polished win at the first time of asking.

Bred for speed and early maturity, Fish Tales is a son of a sire known for producing sharp, forward juveniles, and his pedigree suggested he would handle the Hollywoodbets Greyville circuit despite his wide draw. Fish Tales broke smartly from the gate and showed good natural pace, and from the wide draw Mickaelle settled in midfield as the field spun into the home stretch.

Mickaelle balanced the son of Heavenly Blue and then asked him for his effort, allowing him a clear run down the centre of the racetrack. As the field went through the 300M he started responding to the urgings from the saddle, building in momentum beautifully, and drawing closer to the leaders with every stride. Mickaelle was now asking him for maximum, and he responded by giving another kick as they went through the 150M, running strongly all the way to the line, winning by over a length.

Mickaelle brings home Fish Tales to win the Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes

Fish Tales – Black Type with his second racecourse appearance – Winning Interview

Mickaelle and Crawford Racing just seem to have developed such a good rapport, with this being her third graded winner since arriving in South Africa. Just as she did with Star Major, another brilliant ride from the young lady. She has enhanced her reputation with the way she has ridden during her time in South Africa, impressing all with her balance, determination in the finish and impeccable sense of timing her runs to win her races.

In his winning interview, James was effusive in his praise for Fish Tales and Mickaelle’s ride. He said that he felt that the two-year-old colt was still green and immature and as he grew into himself, he would only get better. The trifecta of owners, Messrs Raphael Goolam, Tony Moodley & Selvan Naidoo, were a mixture of owners who had returned to horse racing ownership in the form of Tony Moodley & Selvan Naidoo and unbelievably, a first-time owner Raphael Goolam, who has had his first horse have the incredible feat of winning its Maiden and then a Graded Race – Horse Racing, what an easy game.

This insert combines with insert three, as this is one of James three to watch for the new season – His Comments are as per below –

Fish Tales – Impressed us immensely with his last win and as he is still learning his trade, once the penny drops, he could be absolutely anything.    

Fish Tales, as he matures, he will only continue to improve, and as per James’s comments, he could be absolutely anything and the sky could be the limit for Fish Tales, his Owners and Crawford Racing.

James, Tim & Brett bring home Five winners in Total for July  

The Final Month of the 2025/20226 Horseracing Season was one where we did not see many horses being nominated for Race Meetings by James for Crawford Racing. A combination of very soft conditions in Cape Town, lightning-fast conditions in Gauteng and an influx of young, seemingly progressive two-year-olds into his stable, James throttled back on nominations, rather waiting for kinder racing conditions to increase his nominations, especially among the precocious two-year-olds in his stable.

However, that, and the scratching of Star Major from the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville did not prevent the stable from capturing a Graded Race on Gold Cup Day in the form of the incredibly impressive and progressive Fish Tales. guided to victory by the lady who struck up such an incredible relationship with Multiple Graded Winner Star Major, Mickaëlle Michel.

This insert includes the remaining four winners that James, Tim and Brett produced for the month of July.

King of Fighters (01 July 2026)

King of Fighters secured a hard-fought victory on July 1st in the Friends of Hong Kong Association Cup at Sha Tin. Ridden by Karis Teetan, he had to defy top weight over the 1400-meter trip for owner Calvin Cheng Ka Sing. After jumping from a wide draw of eight, Karis settled the horse toward the rear of the field, maintaining a position behind mid pack for most of the race. The pair bided their time, tracking the leaders while waiting for the home straight.

As the field turned for home, the son of Street Boss showed significant determination to close the gap on the leaders. Karis guided him to the outside to find clear running room, and he responded with a strong rally from out wide. In a thrilling finish, he edged out his rivals to record a narrow victory. This win was the 17th time that Karis and Brett have teamed up for a victory during this debut campaign.

King Of Fighters shows determination and a great foot under a driving ride from Karis

Liefling – 07 July 2026

Age: 3 (at last run)

Sex: f

M/Rating: 74 (at last run)

Owner: Mr W Oosthuizen

Breeder: Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud

Trainer: James Crawford

Breeding: Hawwaam – Love Without End by Dynasty

Colours: Red, white chevron, grey and black striped sleeves, black cap, red diamond

Liefling, a beautifully named grey filly out of the sire Hawwaam, started her racing career in Gauteng before moving to Cape Town. She was kept sprinting trips initially, but as she stepped up in trip, so her performances improved. She is a little skittish and shows that on raceday, but when she applies her mind to racing, she has talent.

Jumping from a wide draw at Durbanville is not ideal, especially when you are a filly running against the boys, she was settled at the back of the field by race jockey Callan Murray. She maintained that position as the field rounded the turn, when Callan moved her to the centre of the course for a clear run.

Callan asked her for her effort at the 400M and when he got into her at the 200M with the right-handed stick, she inhaled the leaders in a matter of strides, stretching to the lead inside the last 100M, hitting the line full of running to beat a mixed field of fillies and colts quite comfortably. Going even further could be what she is looking for, and if her quirks can be ironed out, her owner Mr Oosthuizen could look forward to some fun days at the races.

Liefling runs down her rivals in good fashion under the Callan Drive

Liefling breaks her Maiden – Winning Interview

Beauty Missile (12 July 2026)

Beauty Missile delivered an exceptional performance to win the Miraculous Handicap at Sha Tin. Ridden by Alexis Badel, the brown gelding had to overcome the disadvantage of jumping from the widest draw in a field of fourteen. Alexis acted patiently from the jump, shifting his mount across the field to travel in second-to-last position during the early stages. They maintained this position for most of the 1800-meter journey behind a very quick pace, allowing the horse to conserve energy for a final effort.

The race became tactical as they entered the home straight, where Alexis briefly faced a lack of clear running room just after the 400-meter mark. Once he found a clear path, Beauty Missile showed an incredible turn of foot and rocketed home down the center of the track. He swept past the entire field to take the lead in the shadow of the post and win full of running, securing a good victory for owner Kwok Siu Ming.

Beauty Missile rockets home to win full of running under Alexis Badel

PI Legend (12 July 2026)

The stable’s double on July 12th was completed by PI Legend, who visited the winner’s enclosure after the Joy and Fun Handicap. Partnered once again by Karis Teetan, the horse contested a competitive sprint over 1200 meters on the Sha Tin turf with Karis utilising his knowledge of the horse to navigate the tactical demands of the Sha Tin circuit to his advantage.

Showing good gate speed, Karis allowed PI Legend to find his feet and settle on his own accord. He maintained that position as the field spun into the stretch allowing his mount to balance up in the stretch and then asking for an effort. He made ground gradually towards the leaders hitting the front inside the last 200M. He then had to withstand a late challenge from Crossborderpegasus, but Karis kept PI Legend up to his work and the pair displayed great determination to keep the horse’s nose ahead at the line.

PI Legend shows great determination under a driving ride by Karis to win well

Another successful month for the Global Brand of Crawford Racing as the Horseracing Season across the globe came to an end. James, Tim and Brett have maintained their individual and collective excellence across the season, not only for themselves as racehorse trainers but also for their owners.

The 2026/2027 Horse Racing Season Awaits.