Globally, the Winners keep flowing for Crawford Racing

The Crawford racing family continues to demonstrate its formidable global reach, delivering a staggering combined tally of victories across South Africa and Hong Kong over the past two months. October set a high bar, with James saddling a superb 13 winners locally—comprising nine in Cape Town and four in Gauteng—while Brett added a victory in Hong Kong to bring the total to fourteen.

The momentum remained strong in November, as James secured another nine victories, including eight in the Mother City and a feature day win in Gauteng in conjunction with Tim. With Brett landing three more winners abroad, the team celebrated a combined twelve successes for the month. Crawford Racing’s presence and continued winners in Cape Town, Gauteng, and Hong Kong increasingly positions the operation as a global proposition for both current and prospective owners, writes Hadley Lakay.

BOOZY SUSIE

Age:        3 (at last run)

Sex:         f

M/Rating:               83 (at last run)

Owner:   Hollywood Racing (Nom: Mr A Delpech)

Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               Danon Platina (JPN) – Elle Va by Var (USA)

Colours:                Yellow, purple stars, yellow cap, purple star

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the Danon Platina filly Boozy Susie races for the Hollywood Syndicate and quickly showed her mettle despite tricky beginnings. In her debut and second run she was drawn twelve at the Hollywoodbets Durbanville track but still made impressive improvement from run one to run two.

In her third run the stars finally aligned at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when she stepped up to 1400m. Going a furlong further than her first two runs and drawn one, saw her sent off as the joint-favourite at 28/10. Making full use of the inside gate, Sean Veale was able to position her perfectly without expending too much energy in the early running, and she travelled kindly throughout the middle stages.

When the field turned for home, Boozy Susie’s race jockey Sean Veale sent her to the front. Despite being green in the finish, when Nannie Gold launched a challenge, Boozy Susie found more to hit the line strongly enough to hold all challengers at bay by just over a length. In the post-race interview, James expressed great satisfaction in getting the win for the Hollywood Syndicate early in the month and was of the opinion she would improve as she matures.

Boozie Susie breaks her MaIden in facile fashion

Boozie Susie – Winning Interview

CHASINGTHERAINBOW

Age:        4 (at last run)

Sex:         g

M/Rating:               86 (at last run)

Owner:   Mr P Barrett

Breeder: Normandy Stud

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               Potala Palace – Lady Of The Fleece by Argonaut

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

Chasingtherainbow is all about the further he goes, the better he runs. After his first three runs were up the straight, his next three runs were around the turn, and resulted in three wins on the bounce. He was then given a break, and his first two runs back was required to bring him back to racing fitness.

In his third run after the rest, race Jockey Callan Murray was tasked with getting the gelding to switch off, and for the most part, the plan worked. He travelled comfortably behind the speed through the race, and as they spun into the stretch Callan sent him to the front. However, as they entered the final furlong, Chasingtherainbow hung to the outside fence.

Despite steering a somewhat erratic path to the line, his turn of foot was undeniable. He hit the front and held on to win by a neck from a low flying Katsu on his inside. In the post-race interview, Callan commented on the difficulty of the ride, noting that the horse made it hard for himself by hanging out, but praised the son of Potala Palace’s turn of foot. James was delighted to finally reward owner Paul Barrett’s patience, admitting that the horse has been tricky to train and often keeps them on the edge of their seats, but proving he has the heart to win when it counts.

Chasingtherainbow achieves win number four under Callan Murray

Chasingtherainbow – Winning Interview

KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD

Age:        3 (at last run)

Sex:         f

M/Rating:               (at last run)

Owner:   Mrs M Mynhardt

Breeder: Mr John Mynhardt

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               One World – Cat’s Whiskers by Mogok (USA)

Colours:                Red, black rings, black sleeves, red cap

Possessing one of the more unique names in the stable, Kattekwaadkwadraad is a homebred filly for Mrs. M Mynhardt, bred by Mr. John Mynhardt. She is by the exciting sire One World out of Cat’s Whiskers (by Mogok). A three-year-old, she arrived at the races with a reputation for being talented but notably eccentric and “spicy” in her demeanour.

On debut, she was largely unconsidered by the betting public, starting at 14/1. However, she produced an eye-catching performance, running on from off the pace, she finished 2nd, beaten only 1.25 lengths by Flying South. Despite her eccentricity, she showed that she could handle the race pressure and possessed a finishing kick.

The step up in distance for her second start was a natural progression, as her stride and pedigree suggested the 1250m was a touch sharp. Moving to Kenilworth and stepping up to 1400m, the betting support arrived. She was backed into 14/10 favourite, and in the race, she displayed all the talent that the stable thought she possessed, raw talent overcoming immaturity.

Displaying good gate speed, Louie had her out in a flash, as she travelled well behind the pacemaker as the field spun into the stretch. When Louie asked her for her effort, the response was immediate despite the shifting across the track as Louie gave her a couple of cracks.

Despite her antics, she was simply too good for the opposition. She pulled clear to win by a convincing 2.50 lengths from Red Taffety. Louie joked post-race about her waywardness, describing her as a handful who is still figuring out what racing is about.

James was effusive in his praise for her potential, noting that once the “penny drops” and she learns to focus, she will be a serious racehorse. He highlighted that winning so comfortably while doing so much wrong is the hallmark of a filly with a bright future.

Kattekwaadkwadraad breaks her Maiden at only her second racecourse appearance

Kattekwaadkwadraad – Winning Interview

COCO’S HERO

Age:        3 (at last run)

Sex:         c

M/Rating:               91 (at last run)

Owner:   Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd

Breeder: Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               Fire Away (USA) – Miss Coco (IRE) by Galileo (IRE)

Colours:                Yellow, black stripe, striped sleeves, yellow cap

Coco’s Hero is a superbly bred three-year-old colt owned and bred by Khaya Stables. He is by the international sire Fire Away out of the Galileo mare Miss Coco. This pedigree screams stamina and class—Galileo influence on the dam side almost guarantees that the horse will only improve as the distances increase. His early career was a typical progression for a stayer in the making as the stable started him in the sprints, stepped up to a 1600M, and then reeled off a hat trick of wins as the distances increased.

Lining up in a Class 4 over 1950m at Kenilworth, he was generously priced at 12/1. Grant van Niekerk took the ride and produced a masterclass in pace judgment. Coco’s Hero traveled with a large, rhythmic stride, looking comfortable throughout the journey as he tracked the two runaway pacemakers. As they turned for home, Grant asked him to lengthen, and the response was immediate but now had to repel the flying finish of Arbitration.

Coco’s Hero dug deep, repelling the challenger by just under a half a length in gritty, determined win. In the post-race comments, Grant complimented the colt’s action, describing him as a lovely mover who just gallops and gallops and could be a prospective candidate for the staying Graded races in the Summer Season.

Coco’s Hero reels off a hat trick of wins under Grant Van Niekerk

Coco’s Hero – Winning Interview

ALADDIN’S LAMP

Age:        5 (at last run)

Sex:         g

M/Rating:               95 (at last run)

Owner:   Mr P M Murugasa

Breeder: Varsfontein Stud

Trainer:   James Crawford

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

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

Aladdin’s Lamp is a five-year-old gelding by the prolific sire Master Of My Fate out of the Judpot mare Little Genie. Bred by Varsfontein Stud and owned by the Murugasa Family. This galloper has developed into a serious staying prospect especially since his relocation to Gauteng and is now fulfilling his potential on the Highveld tracks.

Before his Summer Cup Day triumph, Aladdin’s Lamp had already proven his affinity for the Highveld with a sensational winter campaign. In mid-2025, he reeled off a magnificent hat-trick of victories that announced his arrival as a stayer of note. Following a brief freshening, his preparation for the Summer Cup feature day was meticulous having had two runs back after the break, Summer Cup day being his peak run.

Contesting the Betway Summer Cup Consolation over 2000m, Aladdin’s Lamp jumped from barrier seven on a track rated as soft. Under a cool ride from Juan Paul (JP) van der Merwe, the gelding broke well but was allowed to settle just off the early pace set by Diwali Rocket. He traveled well throughout the middle stages, stalking the leaders with intent.

As the field turned for home, Aladdin’s Lamp was unleashed. He quickened impressively to strike the front and kept rolling to hold off the challenge firstly of his stable companion Beynac and then Field Marshal, crossing the line with just over two lengths to spare. It was a victory of pure class, suggesting that he had plenty more in the tank.

Post-race, jockey JP van der Merwe was quick to credit the team effort. He revealed that he had sought advice from colleagues Callan Murray and Marco van Rensburg, who knew the horse well. Their key advice was to “keep him calm.” JP noted that the lead pony helped in this regard.

James described Aladdin’s Lamp as a “big thinker,” a character trait that makes him both talented and tricky. He shared an amusing anecdote from the jockey, noting that even when the horse hit the front and had the race at his mercy, he had his ears pricked and was looking across the rail at a car parked nearby. He also congratulated Tim, for the excellent job done with the satellite string in Johannesburg, acknowledging the global success of the Crawford family.

Aladdin’s Lamp notches up his sixth win on Summer Cup Day for the Murugasa Family

The months of October and November have produced a total of twenty six winners across Cape Town, Gauteng, and Hong Kong. James, Tim, Brett, and their respective stables ongoing achievements underscore its emergence as a truly global operation. The team’s expanding footprint and consistent results position it as an attractive prospect for owners as the year winds down and 2026 approaches.

With a proven history of success and a growing reputation, Crawford Racing consistently elevates industry standards. Their commitment to excellence and adaptability across diverse racing environments continues to drive their success. As the winners keep flowing, the stable’s global reach has become ever more prominent. The team remains grateful for the ongoing support and trust of owners and enthusiasts as they continue their journey in the sport.

Reet Petite & Mon Petit Cherie target Graded Glory

REET PETITE

Age:        3 (at last run)

Sex:         F

M/Rating:               94 (at last run)

Owner:   Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer

Breeder: Ridgemont Highlands

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               Rafeef (AUS) – Super Elegant by Daylami (IRE)

Colours:                Dark green, blue sleeves, white cap

In the high-stakes world of South African horse racing, few things generate as much excitement as an unbeaten three-year-old filly heading into the Classics. That is exactly the scenario facing James and owners, the powerful Ridgemont operation in conjunction with Devin Heffer, with their filly Reet Petite. A flawless equine athlete, she has transitioned from a promising juvenile into a serious Gr 1 contender, and her target is locked onto the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas on December 6 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

To understand Reet Petite’s potential, one must touch on her pedigree. She is a daughter of the Ridgemont sire Rafeef, a stallion who has consistently produced speed and quality. However, the stamina influence comes from her dam, Super Elegant. Super Elegant was a multiple graded stakes winner who claimed both the Gr 3 Diana Stakes and the Gr 3 Victress Stakes.

She was a mare who excelled over ground, which bodes well for Reet Petite’s ability to see out the mile and perhaps further. As a broodmare, Super Elegant has been a goldmine; Reet Petite is a full-sister to the five-time winner Enchanting Choice and the recent winner Exquisite. This blend of Rafeef’s speed and Super Elegant’s middle-distance class suggests we are looking at a filly with the potential of a good profile for the Fillies Guineas.

Reet Petite started her career at the tighter, turning circuit of Hollywoodbets Durbanville. While she won her first two starts there with authority, showing plenty of natural speed, critics often reserve judgment until a horse runs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Her third victory—and her most significant to date—came on her debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Stepping up to 1600m for the first time in a Class 4 contest, she faced older, more battle hardened experienced rivals.

Reet Petite makes it three from three in impressive fashion

Reet Petite – the hat trick Winning Interview

Chasing the hat trick of wins with champion jockey Richard Fourie in the irons, Reet Petite, unlike her previous two runs when she jumped slow, showed good gate speed settling just off the pace. She tracked the pacemaker around the bend and as they spun into the straight, when Richard asked the question in the straight, the response was immediate and she did not just grind it out but quickened away from the field to put more than two lengths between herself and the runner-up, winning going away.

In the Guineas the bar will be raised significantly as the Cape Fillies Guineas is the premier contest for three-year-old fillies in the region. It is run on the Kenilworth Summer Course, a track that is widely regarded as the fairest test in the country and the field she will face is deep.

The current ante-post favorite is the Gr 1 winner Golden Palm, currently being quoted around 16/10. Despite having drawn 8, she has the length of the Summer Course to fully unwind, she will have the expertise, strength, and calm of Richard Fourie to assist her in reeling in those pacemakers as she probably will have to do from the wide draw.

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Awaits!

MON PETIT CHERIE

Age:        4 (at last run)

Sex:         F

M/Rating:               120 (at last run)

Owner:   Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer

Breeder: Ridgemont Highlands

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               Rafeef (AUS) – Exotic (IRE) by Galileo (IRE)

Colours:                Dark green, blue sleeves, white cap

The Cape Summer Season has potentially found one of its leading protagonists. On Wednesday, 26 November 2025, the flashing silks of Ridgemont—dark green, blue sleeves, and white cap—were once again thrust into the spotlight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Mon Petit Cherie, the four-year-old daughter of Rafeef, made her highly anticipated racecourse reappearance in the Genuine Ennion Syndicate Progress Plate over 1200m. It was a performance that not only dusted off the cobwebs of her winter break but also firmly announced her possible candidacy for the country’s most prestigious mile contest, the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate. 

Lining up for the first time since her stellar Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes performance in July, expectations were tempered by the reality of fitness. A 1200m sprint is arguably short of her best distance, and she was tasked with conceding a massive 6kg to the hard-knocking Miss World who ran second to her.

Yet, class has a way of equalizing deficits. Under the guidance of champion jockey Richard Fourie, Mon Petit Cherie traveled with a palpable keenness, tanking up to the leaders with the enthusiasm of a horse eager to be back in the fray. While she looked to be carrying some condition in the parade ring, a natural state for a filly returning from a spell, her mechanics during the race were flawless.

When Richard asked for an effort, the response was immediate, if a tad workmanlike. She moved up to challenge Miss World and, despite the weight difference, asserted her superiority to win by a measured short head in a time of 73.09 seconds.

Mon Petit Cherie all class as she comes back from the break to win well.

Mon Petit Cherie – Winning Interview

Owned in partnership by Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) and Mr Devin Heffer, she represents a union of some of the most powerful patrons in South African racing. With the “cobwebs blown away,” as James commented in the post-race interview, the focus now shifts to the pinnacle of the Cape Summer Season with James confirming that going forward her two possible aims are the King’s Plate and the City of Cape Town Majorca Stakes.”

Mon Petit Cherie has seemingly returned to racing bigger, stronger, and more mature. Her win was not about the margin of victory, but the manner of it. She conceded weight, ran over a trip short of her best, and still found a way to win. With Richard Fourie in the irons for either or both of those races, for the owners and Team Crawford the sky could be the limit for Mon Petit Cherie.

Ride of the Month – Louie, Dame of Trix & Signor Dante

It is indeed a rare occurrence in racing when a jockey produces two rides of such high calibre in a single month that it becomes nearly impossible to split them for the accolade of “Ride of the Month.” Yet, this is precisely the conundrum presented by Luyolo (Louie) Mxothwa in November 2025.

Louie steered both Dame of Trix and Signor Dante to victory at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in finishes that left racegoers enthused. While the nature of the wins differed; one a tenacious battle in a sprint, the other a courageous front-running display of resilience but the common denominator was the brilliance of the man in the saddle.

DAME OF TRIX

Age:        5 (at last run)

Sex:         m

M/Rating:               81 (at last run)

Owner:   Mrs G MacGregor, Messrs J N A Mantel, E G van den Berg & J J Zandberg

Breeder: Rathmor Stud (Nom: Mr M J A Ferreira)

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               Vercingetorix – Mystery Dame by Jet Master

Colours:                Blue, broad yellow stripe, blue sleeves, yellow armbands, yellow cap, blue peak

From the jump, Louie ensured Dame of Trix broke sharply, getting a “flyer” to position her perfectly just off the early pace set by Peace of Mind. In a sprint race, split-second decisions are everything and Louis did not panic when the early fractions were quick. Instead, he sat composed, stalking the leader through the early fractions.

As they passed the 400m mark, Louie made his move, tackling the leader. However, as he made his run so did Andrew Fortune on October Fest, launching a sustained challenge up outside of the straight course. In the final furlong, Louie and Andrew displayed their collective brilliance, driving both their mounts to the line.

Louie balanced the mare perfectly, keeping her rhythm despite the pressure and in the final fifty metres it was evident this was going to be a heads up, heads down finish with both jockeys extracting every ounce of fight from their respective mounts. As they hit the line, the naked eye struggled to split them, but Louie had timed his final urge to perfection, getting Dame of Trix’s nose down right on the wire to win by the narrowest of margins by the shortest of short heads.

Dame of Trix wins a brilliant race on the bob under an inspired Louie Drive

Dame of Trix – Winning Interview

It was a ride defined by strength and the refusal to accept defeat, ensuring the mare’s head was down at the precise nanosecond required. James added in the post-race interview, acknowledging the long road back for the daughter of Vercingetorix.

“She’s had her problems, but we brought her back slowly and surely, and she’s just come back to fine form. We have never had a doubt on her class and ability. It is nice for her just to be relishing and really enjoying being back at racing.” James also gave credit to the owners for their patience, and wisdom in staying the course with her through her surgeries.

SIGNOR DANTE

Age:        4 (at last run)

Sex:         g

M/Rating:               65 (at last run)

Owner:   Messrs Ross Kieswetter & L Sherrell & Mesdames G MacGregor & D J Sherrell

Breeder: Piemonte Stud

Trainer:   James Crawford

Breeding:               Rafeef (AUS) – Awfaa by Silvano (GER)

Colours:                Black, black, and white hooped sleeves, white cap, black peak

Signor Dante is a gelding by the sprint sensation Rafeef, out of the Silvano mare Awfaa. This breeding suggests a horse with natural speed but the scope to carry it over a mile, which is exactly what we saw in his performance. Bred by Piemonte Stud, he had been showing flashes of form in his previous six runs despite jumping from mostly wide barriers when racing around the turn.

If the ride on Dame of Trix was about balance and poise in a finish, the win aboard Signor Dante was a masterclass in pace judgment. From a potentially tricky draw of ten, Louie bounced Signor Dante out the gates with intent. He did not just rush blindly; he allowed the horse to “circumnavigate” the field and cross over to the rail efficiently, establishing a comfortable three-length lead without expending too much effort.

Louie continued to lead as the field spun into the straight, where the field started to concertina and the challenges started coming from the rest of the field. Louie, however, did not stop riding. He knew the horse had more to give and in a display of pure grit, he rallied Signor Dante along the inside rail. Seemingly beaten, the son of Rafeef responded and fought back all the way to the line. He re-rallied on the inside rail, clawing back the advantage from Ocean Sky and holding off the late surge of In Motion.

Louie at his brilliant Best – Signor Dante breaks his Maiden

Signor Dante – Winning Interview

To lift a horse that has already been headed and get him to fight back to win by a short head is one of the hardest feats in jockeyship. It requires a jockey who can transmit his own will to win into the animal beneath him. Louie did exactly that in breathtaking style.

In Dame of Trix, we saw Louie the finisher—cool under pressure, timing his run to the millisecond in a high-speed duel. In Signor Dante, we saw Louie the pacemaker — judging the fractions and lifting a seemingly beaten horse off the canvas.

Both rides resulted in wins by the barest of margins, proving that Louie has the strength, balance, and poise in the saddle, without which the results of both races might have been different. Splitting the two rides is indeed a challenging task, but luckily for the respective owners of both horses, they did not have to choose—they got to enjoy both wins on the bob.