June 2025 News

The Defending Champion is Ready’ says James Crawford

To take a leaf out of boxing parlance, Oriental Charm is the heavyweight champion of South Africa. His win in the Hollywoodbets Durban July in 2024, put him right at the top of the tree. However, the top is lonely, and there will always be those looking to dethrone you. Eight on Eighteen, Gladatorian and Immediate Edge are but three of those contenders, and a wonderful Hollywoodbets Durban July awaits.

After breaking his Maiden on debut, Oriental Charm had been penciled in by form studiers in their little black books. His next three runs were all over the sprint trips, but then in his next six runs he won three races, including the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900M, the Grade 3 Dolphin Cup, and the pinnacle of the Natal season, the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Oriental Charm Wins the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July

ORIENTAL CHARM

Age:       4 (at last run)

Sex:       c

M/Rating: 127 (at last run)

Owner: Messrs Greg Bortz & Leon Ellman, Ms Gina Goldsmith & The Oriental Charm Syndicate

Breeder: Cheveley Stud

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding: Vercingetorix – Souk by Greys Inn (USA)

Colours: Aquamarine, dark grey seams, aquamarine sleeves, dark grey armbands, striped cap

The son of Vercingetorix was then given a well-deserved five-month rest. He made his reappearance in the Grade 2 Green Point Sakes. Oriental Charm showed no signs of rustiness, galloping relentlessly all the way to the line, displaying all the grit and determination of a champion, and hitting the line full of running.

An “underdone” Oriental Charm is all class winning the G2 Green Point Stakes

The winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July then run seventh in the Queens Plate and then ran a brilliant second to the best three-year-old in the country, the Justin Snaith trained Eight on Eighteen in the WSB Cape Town Met in his next two starts.

He was then given a rest after the exertions of the Summer Season, and the next time he stepped out onto the track was at Greyville in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. James and JP both confirmed that he was not fully wound up, and finishing second to distance specialist Dave The King carrying 60kg proved what a champion he remains.

Despite having a wide draw, he showed good gate speed, with big race jockey JP Van Der Merwe taking him straight to the front. As the field spun into the straight, he continued to gallop relentlessly, fighting off all comers off all the way down the short Greyville stretch, before eventually succumbing in the final strides to the surge of Dave The King down the inside of the track.

As confirmed by James and JP, he was not fully ready after his layoff, and there was “meat left on the bone” to work with in the lead up to the July. The cobwebs have been well and truly blown away after that run and James has confirmed that his preparations have gone flawlessly leading into the July.

He is drawn perfectly at one, and with his good gate speed should be able to get to the head of affairs without overextending himself and if he is allowed to set his own fractions and kick at the top of the stretch, the field will have to come and grab him down the stretch. Yes, he carried 53kg last year and now carries 60kg and has to give Eight on Eighteen (two points higher in the ratings than him) three kilograms, but a champion normally finds a way. What we do know is that capacity race day crowd will be roaring them home as the field thunders down the stretch to the line. We cannot wait.

Oriental Charm runs a brilliant second to Dave The King in the WSB Gold Challenge

James Crawford – First Winner as a fully-fledged Trainer

At just 25 years old, James Crawford has stepped into the spotlight as the sole trainer at the helm of Crawford Racing’s South African operation. Formerly part of a dynamic father-son duo with his father, Brett Crawford, James now leads the stable following Brett’s move to Hong Kong to join their prestigious training ranks for the 2025/26 season.

James’s journey in racing began at an early age, growing up immersed in the sport under the guidance of his father, one of South Africa’s most accomplished trainers. In 2021, James took charge of the Highveld satellite yard at Randjesfontein, where he quickly made a name for himself with a string of high-profile successes. Notably, he played a pivotal role in preparing back-to-back Durban July winners—Winchester Mansion in 2023 and Oriental Charm in 2024.

The father-son partnership was officially recognized in December 2024, and their debut as joint trainers was nothing short of spectacular, securing Grade 1 and Grade 2 victories on the same day at Kenilworth. But with Brett now pursuing international ambitions, James has assumed full responsibility for the South African string from 01 June 2025, operating primarily from Cape Town while maintaining a presence in Johannesburg.

On a typical winter’s day in Cape Town, James’s first day as a standalone trainer saw five horses go to post across the racecard for the James Crawford Racing stable. The first four ran second, third, fourth and fifth, with his first winner coming in Race 10, very appropriately coming for owner Paul Barrett, the Grandad of James assistant trainer Rob Barrett.

CHASINGTHERAINBOW

Age:       3 (at last run)

Sex:       g

M/Rating: 81 (at last run)

Owner: Mr P Barrett

Breeder: Normandy Stud

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding: Potala Palace – Lady Of The Fleece by Argonaut

Colours: Turquoise blue and purple quartered, white sleeves and cap

Chasingtherainbow gives James his first winner as a fully-fledged trainer

Chasingtherainbow reels off a hat trick – Interviews

As is his norm, Chasingtherainbow was a step slow out the gates and was slot in at the back of the field by race jockey Louis Mxothwa. He continued to race towards the back of the field as the field turned into the straight. Louis then allowed him to slide towards the outside rail before putting the whip to work as the field went through the 400M.

 Louis continued to encourage the son of Potala Palace as the field went through the 200M but now Chasingtherainbow was starting to go through the gears and started making big inroads on the leaders. With 100M to go he was now in full cry and as the post loomed momentum was with him and he hit the line full of running to reel off a brilliant hat trick of wins. A brilliant win, for a very good three-year-old colt that is steadily making his way up the merit rating standings.

Despite his youth, James has already demonstrated a sharp eye for talent and a meticulous approach to training. His ability to deliver top-tier results has positioned him as one of the most promising young trainers in the country. As Crawford Racing enters a new chapter, James Crawford is not just continuing a legacy—he’s building one of his own not only with his team in Cape Town and Gauteng, but with his many respective owners as well.

Ride of the Month – Louis Mxothwa & Star Major

Louis Mxothwa balances a horse beautifully in tight finishes but remains forceful and shows strength in coaxing extra from the horse in the drive down to the finish. He is currently lying ninth on the SA Jockey’s log despite having been out of the saddle for almost two months after a nasty incident at Fairview racecourse. However, that has not stopped him in bringing home winners for James Crawford in Cape Town and Sharon Kotzen in Gqeberha when he returned to the saddle.

STAR MAJOR

Age:       2 (at last run)

Sex:       c

M/Rating:           (at last run)

Owner:                Mr J I Bloch, Mesdames P A Isdell & Prakashni Pillay & Kalinga

Breeder:              Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding:            Querari (GER) – Star In The Sky by Silvano (GER)

Colours:             Purple, white stripe, striped sleeves, purple cuffs and cap

Star Major has only run three times for two second and a win. He jumped unfancied (100/1) on debut, running an absolute blinder into second place over the 1000M down the straight at Keniloworth. His second run over the 1200M also down the lane at Kenilworth on a rainy afternoon saw him being short headed into second place again.

On 21 June, the stable stepped him up another furlong and put him around the turn over the Kenilworth 1400M on the winter course with it’s 400M straight. From a good draw of one, in a strong field of Maidens, Star Major jumped well, but then allowing the first timer United Front to slip around him from an outside draw to take up the running.

Louis allowed the son of Querari to find his feet going around the turn for the first time, bowling along a couple of lengths off the leader. He made his run down the inside as the field spun into the stretch, moving up to the leader. However, the two horses had loomed up on their outside, the four horses almost ina line as the field went through the 200M. However, in a driving finish and with the gap tightening down the inside, Star Major and United Front moved ahead again as the post loomed.

Star Major shows courage under a brilliant ride from Louis to break his Maiden

Star Major – Winning Interviews

Not only did Louis show great strength and balance in the finish, but Star Major also showed great courage in going through the gap on the inside to put his nose down at the right time and win a very good race. With two second and a win Star Major could continue to give James and his Team, as well as owners Mr J I Bloch, Mesdames P A Isdell & Prakashni Pillay & Kalinga good days at the races as his career unfolds.

 

Timothy Woodruff keeps the Gauteng Yard Ticking Over

Timothy Woodruff has not had the opportunity to step out to many horses in June, but the ones that he has, has seen the Satellite Stable in Gauteng continuing to tick over the winners. He sent out nine runners in total in June with three of them winning for a very impressive 33% strike rate for the Yard and his respective owners. He also added one second, a third and a fourth place for a total place strike of 67% for the month.

COUNT HUHTIKUU

Age:       3 (at last run)

Sex:       g

M/Rating: 91 (at last run)

Owner: Mr P Boonzaaier & Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix)

Breeder: Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix)

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding: Royal Mo (USA) – Banking April by Bankable (IRE)

Colours: Green and bright yellow checks, white sleeves and cap

First up on June 3^rd was the son of Royal Mo, Count Huhtikuu. An entrant in the Grade 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom on Hollywoodbets Durban July day on Saturday, Count Huhtikuu beat subsequent winner Hawkbill on a beautiful sunny day at Turffontein Racecourse. When the starter hit the button he responded a step slow and jumped slightly outward at the gates. However race jockey Kabelo Matsunyane did not waste any time in bustling him to the front as the field rounded the turn.

He set his own pace as the field entered the straight just allowing the tall scopy Count Huhtikuu to continue to bowl along. As the field started concertinuing as the field went throught the 400M, he gave another powerful kick, putting three lengths between the field and himself at the 200M. He continued to gallop strongly all the way to the line to win very impressively for owners Mr P Boonzaaier & Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix).

Count Huhtikuu wins very impressively from subsequent winner Hawkbill at Turffontein

TUSCAN ROMANCE

Age:       3 (at last run)

Sex:       f

M/Rating:            77 (at last run)

Owner: Mr P M Murugasa

Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding: Master Of My Fate – Touch Of Tuscan by Al Mufti (USA)

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

Next up on the 8^th June was the Jason Murugasa owned Tuscan Romance. A three year old filly was having her twelfth start, but it was important to note that she had run second in her first six starts, then had some below par runs relative to her first six runs.

She then relocated to Gauteng, where she once again ran second in her first start. However in her second run on the highveld, she well and truly put the record straight, gliding away from the field at the 200M to win full of running under Richard Fourie, hitting the line strongly to win by over four lengths.

Tuscan Romance has had two very good runs in Gauteng, and now that she has learnt to win (seven seconds must have had her wondering) she could go on and continue to improve as she matures and strengthens. Timothy said in the post race interview that he was so nervous having an odds on favourite running, but thankful that she came through the race in good fashion.

Tuscan Romance gets her long awaited win after running second seven times

 

 ALADDIN’S LAMP

Age: 4 (at last run)

Sex:       g

M/Rating: 82 (at last run)

Owner: Mr P M Murugasa

Breeder: Varsfontein Stud

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding: Master Of My Fate – Little Genie by Judpot (USA)

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

Aladdin’s Lamp had a new lease of life since relocating to Gauteng. Not that his Cape Town form was not good, having run twelve times, winning twice, and finishing in the top 5 five times in his twelve starts. However, since he has joined Timothy Woodruff, the Murugasa family owned son of Master Of My Fate has run three times, running second on his debut and then reeling off back to back wins.

In both wins he has been partnered by Callan Murray, who has struck up a good relationship with him. His second win was recorded on June 23^rd, where he beat a fourteen horse field. He jumped well, racing just off the the pacemaker as the field travelled down the back straight and around the turn. Callan kept him together as the field went throught the five hundred metre mark.

As they went through the 400M Callan gave him a couple of cracks with the whip, and he responded beautifully kicking clear as the field went through the 200M. He continued to gallop strongly hitting the line full of running to to reel off his second win on the bounce.Now that he has found his feet he could continue to rise through the division as he matures and strengthens.

Aladdin’s Lamp reels off two in a row in Gauteng for Timothy, James and Mr Murugasa