Turf Talk Newsletter – 6 February, 2025

Brett Crawford will be departing later this year for Hong Kong but presumably Crawford Racing will not be lost to South Africa as it will be left in the highly capable hands of Brett’s son James (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has issued a Trainer’s licence to Mr Brett Crawford for the 2025/2026 racing season. It has been rumoured he would be taking up the position for a while and it became official on Friday morning.

Brett’s HKJC profile can be read below:

PROFILE – Brett Crawford

Mr Crawford, 53, is one of South Africa’s most decorated trainers with 38 Group 1 victories among a career tally of almost 1,500 winners.  He began his horse racing journey as a child, riding work before transitioning to a stable employee immediately after finishing school. He has gained valuable experience under the guidance of some of South Africa’s most esteemed trainers, including the internationally renowned Mike de Kock, as well as South African champion trainers Eric Sands and Dennis Drier. In 2001, Mr Crawford successfully applied for the position of private trainer with Mrs Sabine Plattner, one of South Africa’s leading thoroughbred horse owners, marking the start of his training career. He obtained an open licence in 2010.       

Mr Crawford’s best season in South Africa came in 2017/18, when his stable claimed six Group 1 wins.

Mr Crawford operates primarily from the Western Cape, along with a satellite stable in Johannesburg, and trains in partnership with his son, James Crawford.  In the 2023/24 season, he achieved third place in the South African Trainers’ Premiership with 106 winners at a strike rate of 11.7%.  Mr Crawford started the 2024/25 season in strong fashion with 29 wins under his own name before forming his partnership with James Crawford.  The pair has since added 13 wins (as of 29 January).  A notable recent achievement includes winning the Durban July – one of South Africa’s biggest races – for the second time with Oriental Charm, co-owned by Greg Bortz, in July 2024.

Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post writer Sam Agars wrote about the Hong Kong season to date as it approaches the halfway mark and Luke Ferraris features as one of the biggest upward movers from last season to this.

The state of play as the Hong Kong racing season approaches halfway

Sam Agars (South China Morning Post)

There’s a familiar face at the top of the riding ranks, the race for the trainers’ title is wide open and the Horse of the Year battle could be the most even in years

The completion of this Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting will mark the halfway point of the 2024-25 season and the time seems right to check in on how things stand after five enthralling months of racing.

There’s a familiar face at the top of the riding ranks, while the race for the trainers’ title is wide open and the Horse of the Year battle could be one of the most even in years.

So much has been made of Zac Purton’s bettering of Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong win record that the superb season the Australian is compiling has gone somewhat under the radar.

Purton’s double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night took him to 82 victories from the first 43 meetings of the season, meaning he’s on track to ride about 168 winners.

Purton’s haul of 20 victories in January represented his best month of the season so far and it’s certainly not too much of a stretch to think he could find that extra half a gear needed to give his own single-season win record of 179 a shake.

Purton is a full 20 winners ahead of where he sat at this point of last season and he’s one of a swag of jockeys, including Hugh Bowman, Luke Ferraris and Matthew Poon Ming-fai, who are travelling better than they were 12 months ago.

The biggest sliders are Karis Teetan, who has 23 less wins than at this stage of the 2023-24 campaign, Angus Chung Yik-lai and Alexis Badel.

While the drama of last season’s trainers’ title fight may never be replicated – Francis Lui Kin-wai won four of the last five races of the term to pip Pierre Ng Pang-chi by one win – things are certainly perfectly poised this season.

With 46 winners, the barnstorming Ng led by 14 from Lui approaching the halfway mark of the 2023-24 campaign, with Ricky Yiu Poon-fai another four victories back in third.

This campaign, however, things have been much more evenly spread and there are no fewer than 10 trainers within 10 wins of leader Danny Shum Chap-shing’s 29 successes.

Ng and David Hayes sit on 28 while Yiu, John Size and Mark Newnham are close behind on 26.

This campaign’s biggest improvers have been second-season trainers Newnham and Cody Mo Wai-kit, while David Eustace has hit the ground running in his debut Hong Kong term and Ng has been the one whose output has decreased the most.

Down the bottom of the table, everyone is on track to meet the newest version of the Jockey Club’s trainers’ criteria – 14 wins for single-site handlers and 16 for those with a Conghua base – except Jimmy Ting Koon-ho, who is on track for a second consecutive strike after only five winners so far.

While it would require a third strike to endanger Ting’s career, Benno Yung Tin-pang – who continues to undergo treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia – could be forced into retirement at the end of the season after turning 66 in December.

His departure would be offset by the expected arrival of South African trainer Brett Crawford, which is poised to be made official on Friday.

The six Group One victories achieved by Hong Kong horses this season have been spread evenly between three horses – Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble and Ka Ying Rising.

As it stands, Romantic Warrior has his nose in front in the Horse of the Year running thanks to victories in the city’s richest race, the Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), and glory overseas in the Jebel Hatta (1,800m) in Dubai last month.

However, Romantic Warrior will next run in the Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m), tackling the dirt for the first time, and is unlikely to race in Hong Kong again this season.

There will be no easy kills for Romantic Warrior abroad and if the highest-earning racehorse in history doesn’t win again this season, it very much opens the door for Voyage Bubble and Ka Ying Rising, either of whom could easily finish the season with four elite-level successes and a maiden Horse of the Year gong.

Written In Stone has won twice as a nine-year-old, the first of them being under Louis Nhlapo over 1200m at the Vaal on August 8. (JC Photos).

The Brett Webber-trained nine-year-old Pathfork gelding Written In Stone has been a magnificent horse to own for Fred & Linda Mindszenty & Mrs B I d’Oliveira, who have remained faithful for all 100 of his runs and they have been rewarded with 60 first 5 cheques, including six wins for overall earnings of R 660,737.

All in all he has had six wins, eight seconds, 19 thirds, 18 fourths and nine fifths.

He has been a wonderful horse to follow for place punters, especially considering that despite his consistency he has started at double figure odds on no fewer than 59 occasions.

He is quite a strapping horse with a big stride.

If it pans out well for him he invariably finds a strong finish.

However, he does not enjoy being cramped as he was today.

He might have been bottled up by Jason Gates, who won on him last time when exposing him to daylight more than 600m out, but in the opinion of the Turf Talk editor this horse needs some room to move in order to use his big action in the running.

He will then invariably find extra.

On the other hand he did cop a five point raise for that last win and ran off a 67 today in the MR 74 Handicap over 1450m at Turffontein Inside.

Written In Stone was bred by Mr Schalk & Mrs Claire Le Roux.

He looks to have more runs in him and a big round of applause should be given to Brett Webber and his team for keeping him so enthusiastic for so long.

Rascova (far side) just pips arch rival Double Grand Slam in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Gary Player did not pull his punches in an exclusive interview for Turf Talk with Dave Mollett earlier this week and he was highly critical of Richard Fourie’s ride of Double Grand Slam in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes.

However, Turf Talk reader Pravin Chetty has jumped to Richard’s defence.

Garp Player said, ” … I think if my horse had won the Majorca and had not lost by an inch, yet unfortunately we all make mistakes. But Richard Fourie rode a terrible race, if he’d run and listened to instructions, he would have won.”

“If he rode the similar ride that he had in winning the Met against the rail, which made a vast difference. But we all make mistakes. But it’s a very costly mistake because if she’s a two-time Group 1-winning mare, she obviously is worth a lot more if she goes to America and then would definitely be invited to the Breeders’ Cup.”

“Plus, I’ve got two half-sisters, which would have meant an awful lot to them. Plus, as a broodmare in the future. But the jockeys don’t seem to worry very much about all this.”

Harsh words.

However, on a first view of the race the criticism is understandable (see the opinion of the Turf Talk editor at the end of this article).

Reader Pravin Chetty’s responsed to Gary Player’s criticism of Fourie.

Pravin wrote, “With reference to the Mr Molly effort regarding Mr Player, I have a few disconcertions.”

“With regards to the Majorca, Rascova has beaten Double Grand Slam more than once, whether to win the race or not. Hence it was not inconcievable that Rascova could have done it again.”

“Mr Player asserts that Mr Fourie did not ride to instructions, and should have ridden Double Grand Slam as he did Eight on Eighteen. However, surely every trainer has instructions for their jockeys, creating a myriad of scenarios at the jump. It must surely be up to the Jockey to then have a ‘plan B’.”

“My Opinion, after watching the race many times, is that DGS lost the race because of  a tardy jump. She was at the rear of the field and then Mr Fourie was forced to come around them as the field slowed drastically. He was then sitting 2nd, unable to get to the fence, kept out by the leader. This played into Rascova’s hands. I believe that if Mr Fourie had sat at the rear, Rascova would have had 1st run on her and probably still won. THIS IS RACING!!”

“BTW my money was on DGS, despite being associated with the Kotzen stable, who I might add were bullish about Rascova’s winning chance. I believe Mr. Fourie went all out to win the race, is probably the best we’ve produced, is amicable, honest and open about his rides, all we can ask for as a Punter.”

“My opinion, again, is that for Mr Player to suggest that jockeys don’t take consequences of not winning a race’s impact on the horse’s future, and indeed the horse’s siblings’ futures, is ludicrous. Surely the jockey should be focused on winning the current race, solely?

“Mr Player is a legend in his own right, in the Golfing & horse racing spheres, but has excelled himself in self-mastery & self-discipline. However, to commit to paper that “we all make mistakes”, immediately followed by “Richard Fourie rode a terrible race”, has not been well considered, and in fact he has been quite controversial previously.”

The Turf Talk editor has to admit to being surprised when seeing Fourie opting to go around the field when he could have sat at the back and used the filly’s incredible turn of foot in the straight to pick off the other runners in a small field of seven. However, on the other hand the going is quick at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth at present, the pace was developing at a crawl and Rascova has a fine kick, so perhaps he did the right thing in going forward.

In fact the sectional data supports his strategy as the early fractions were slow. The sectional data is difficult to interpret, but the words of guru analyst Karel Miedema in a message to the Sporting Post, who carried Dave Mollet’s article, say it all.

Miedama said, “Before criticising jockey Fourie’s ride, Gary should have studied the sectional times of the race. He might have had a different view and not such harsh words.”

The Turf Talk editor would still have preferred a ride of sitting at the back as in his opinion she would still have had a good chance of fetching Rascova off the back of a slow pace such is her devastating turn of foot. It must be remembered the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes was run at a crawl, Double Grand Slam was held up off the pace and despite being badly hampered in the straight still managed to beat Rascova, who had sat in second place in the running without cover, in much the way Double Grand Slam had done in the Majorca.

Readers: Please email your views if you want to to editor@turftalk.co.za

Picture: Galopin Des Champs goes for a third Cheltenham Gold Cup in succession. 

At The Races had a Willie Mullins stable tour in which the champion trainer in both Britain and Ireland spoke about all of his star-studded squad of novice chasers, older hurdlers and older chasers for Cheltenham.

Unfortunately, it seems like the Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud superstar chaser Il Etait Temps, who has not raced this season, will still be sidelined for the Festival as he is not mentioned.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT MULLINS’ CHELTENHAM HOPEFULS

Flash Lightning has been tipped to win the 6th race. (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Turf Friday Formguides And Selections (Gold Circle)

R1     (9) WINTER WARFARE has scope to improve after a decent enough debut effort so will be the narrow first selection. (4) KING PRAWN is extremely well bred, he comes from a yard who generally have their unraced runners ready so should be taken seriously. (3) GALILEO STAR was backed on debut so must be included, he will improve with the experience under the belt. (1) ABOVE THE HORIZON is another who will improve after having his first run so throw into all bets. (Devonne Govender 9-4-3-1).

R2     (1) KINGDUNDEE has a question mark over race fitness, but he packs plenty of class and should have enough to be very competitive here despite the break. (2) CLIFF TOP is another who has ability and will be right there in the mix, include. (3) THE WINTER LAKE is having the 2nd run after a break and should be much fitter now. (5) LEDELL’S ECHO is never far back and can get into the quartets. ( Devonne Govender 1-2-3-5)

R3     (2) AND ACTION has been knocking on the door recently , although proving expensive to follow he should be competitive in this field. (4) SEEKING THE LIFE ran a cracker in the last start and will be in the mix. (6) HAT MAN is never far back and can get into the action with in form rider Craig Zackey. (7) BOMPAS ran a much improved race and can get into the quartets. ( Devonne Govender 2-4-6-7)

R4     Open race. (4) GREENLIGHT LEGEND brings Cape form into this contest and that must always be taken seriously in the province. (5) ELEGANT APPEAL ran a much improved race at big odds in the last start and can build on that. (6) LADY SONATINE has never been far back in recent starts and warrants respect here. (9) HAT MONTERA has scope to go well and should be thrown into all bets. (Devonne Govender 4-5-6-9)

R5     (1) AMERICAN MATADOR is holding solid form and will take some beating. (11) WELSH STARLET is ran a much better race in the last start at big odds and can get involved. (2) KINNIKINNIK is unreliable but can pop up here. (7) LORD QUINN is never far back and can make the frame. (Devonne Govender 1-11-2-7)

R6     Wide open race. (2) FLASH LIGHTNING won a gutsy race in the last start and can win again despite the wide draw. (8) LAZY GUY is never far back, he ran well in the last start and can make a bold showing. (10) RUSSIAN EMPIRE is never far back and will be in the shake up here from a decent draw. (11) FUTURE OF ENERGY is another who is capable on his day and cannot be discounted, on best form he can win. ( Devonne Govender 2-8-10-11-1-12-4)

R7     (2) IGNITETHELIGHT ran second behind a very smart sort and will take all the beating here. (5) ARABIAN RED is in tops form and could be the exacta horse, she will have to lift to beat the top selection. (7) VOLARE E MAMBO is holding consistent form and will in the placings again. (3) TREASURE HUNT is a very honest type and will be in the mix, place chance. (Devonne Govender 2-5-7-3)

R8     (6) SON OF ZEUS ran a cracker in the last start and will be a huge contender here. (3) WHATEVER NEXT was an easy winner in the last start and will make his presence felt here. (7) DUBAI HILLS is a very honest type and will make the frame. (11) ROOMFORMANOEUVRE has scope to go well so must be respected. ( Devonne Govender 6-3-7-11).

The Weiho Marwing-trained Oratorio filly Last Ginger with Kobeli Lihaba up scored a 20/1 shock today (Thursday) in the last race at Turffontein Inside and denied favourite backers by the narrowest of margins, beating Gavin Lerena and the Gimmethegreenlight filly Accept Cookies. (JC Photos)

Muzi Yeni was the only double scorer at the Turffontein Inside meeting today.

Yeni is now on 81 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 14.01%.

Craig Zackey and Gavin Lerena each had a winner and they are still neck and neck out in front in the championship.

Zackey leads on 136 wins at 18.09%.

Lerena is on 135 wins at 26.79%.

Richard Fourie is now 14 off the pace on 122 wins at 23.78%.

In which year did horses bred in France win four of the five English Classics?

Galcador, the French-bred winner of the 1950 Derby is pictured above.