Brett Crawford

Cape Town-based trainer BRETT CRAWFORD (42) worked under some of the country’s most accomplished trainer’s during his apprenticeship and the lessons he has gained have been invaluable. He began training in his own right at the turn of the millennium and has averaged a Grade 1 winner per year. Crawford has saddled 472 winners during his time and is closing in on a major milestone. He has teamed up with veteran jockey Glen Hatt since the start of this season and the pair have been in excellent form, particularly in the feature races. He is well on his way to surpassing his best ever season return of 56 winners. Brett has swept all before him during this summer campaign and he aims to end the sizzling season on a high. He saddles two brilliant thoroughbreds in the form of CAPTAIN AMERICA (Grade 1 Cape Derby) and the ever-popular JACKSON (Grade 1 J & B Met) in 2 of the 3 Grade 1 races this Saturday and both runners head-up the bookmaker’s boards. The stable is pleased with the progress of both their charges and are expecting big things from them on Met day. We wish Brett and his yard everything of the best on the ‘big day’ and for the future.  

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What is your name? Brett James Crawford.

What is your star sign and birthdate? I am a Virgo and I was born on 7 September 1971.

Where were you born and where did you grow up? Harare, Zimbabwe.

Where do you live? Melkbosstrand.

Tell us about your family? I am married to Jill and have 4 kids-Cameron, Cody, James and Sarah.

Favourite food? Steak.

Favourite drink? Red Tractor.

Favourite music? I like any type of music.

Favourite sport? Mountain biking.

Favourite soccer team? Liverpool.

Favourite holiday destination? What’s that?

What book are you currently reading at the moment? Sporting Post.

Favourite racecourse in South Africa? Kenilworth.

Where did you go to school? Harare, Zimbabwe.

Tell us about your introduction into horseracing? I rode work as a kid and then started as a stable employee straight out of school.

As a youngster, did you harbour any thoughts of becoming a jockey? No.

Who were you assistant to and how did it come about that you got the private training job for Mrs. Sabine Plattner? I worked for Mike de Kock, Eric Sands and then Dennis Drier. I then applied for the position with Mrs Plattner and she afforded me the opportunity to train for her.

Describe your time training for her and tell us about some of your success? It was a fantastic opportunity for me. I learnt a lot from travelling and we won 7 Grade 1 races together in 8 years.

Did you have a break from racing thereafter? No.

What made you take the bold decision to go on your own? My passion is training and that will never change.

What year did you go on your own? In October, 2000.

How determined were you to make a success of it? 200%.

How many horses did you start off with and were where you based? I started training for Lionel Cohen with 25 horses.

Which owner’s supported you from day one and are any of them still with you? Mary Slack and Ian Longmore and they are both still with me.

At the start of this season, you acquired the services of top veteran jockey Glen Hatt. How did this partnership materialize? Karis Teetan left for Hong Kong so I approached Glen and the rest is history.

You guys have enjoyed continued success since August and are probably on the longest success run seen for many years in South African horseracing. What factors have contributed to this success? Good horses.

The saying is that every now and again a top horse finds a trainer. Is it fair to say that the brilliant son of Dynasty, JACKSON found Brett Crawford and has he changed your life in the game? You need luck in this game and it is a fact that good horses make good trainers and jockeys.

You last featured in our Star of the Week in October 2011, i.e. just over a month after JACKSON won his maiden. At that time you didn’t want to commit on how good he is. He has won 3 Grade 1 races since. Has he exceeded expectations or have you always believed that he is this good? I have always believed in him and he has proven us correct.

He has flopped badly just once in his entire career i.e. in the Vodacom Durban July, despite a faultless preparation. What did you attribute that poor run to? I wish I knew. At the end of the day they are athletes and not machines. We all have bad days.

He again had a solid prep going into last year’s J & B Metropolitan but finished a disappointing 5^th. Did you find anything amiss with him thereafter as he was sidelined for more than five months? Yes, he suffered from bad stomach ulcers.

He finished his KZN winter campaign in style with a breath-taking win in the Grade 1 Champions Cup. How relieved were you to see him right back to his best? I was over the moon to see him back.

The five-year old entire’ has again enjoyed an excellent prep going into next week’s J & B Metropolitan. Were you disappointed that he again found one too good for him in the Queen’s Plate? Yes and no. A mile is not his hunting ground and I feel the winner quickened better than him.

What feedback did Glen Hatt give you after that run? He was very pleased with the run.

Is it fair to say that the mile may be a bit on the sharp side for him? Definitely.

How has his preparation gone since that last outing? So far so good.

He is now joint favourite at the top of the bookmaker’s boards with the fast-improving, Master Of My Fate. Do you feel that your horse is still the horse to beat? Yes.

Who do you make your biggest threat? Master Of My Fate.

Tell us about his owners Mr Ian Longmore and Mr Jack Mitchell? They are two gentlemen who love their racing and are big supporters of the industry.

In particular, how many horses does Mr Longmore have in the yard and how easy is he to train for? He has 5 horses and is very easy to train for.

Despite what happens from now until the end of the season, will JACKSON be off to stud? Yes, he will go to stud and will be an exciting new stallion for breeders. He will stand at Highlands next to his dad.

You have some brilliant three-year olds waiting in the wings to fly the stable’s flag. Tell us about the Cape Guineas winner, ELUSIVE GOLD and the unlucky runner-up, CAPTAIN AMERICA? Elusive Gold is on his way to Hong Kong and Captain prepares for the Derby.

How did you acquire them and did you always believe that that they were this good? We bought Captain America at the National Sales and was given Elusive Gold to train.

Describe how you felt over the final furlong of the Cape Guineas? I thought we were not going to get past Red Ray at first but then became very excited to see them fight it out.

Tell us about their owners? Elusive Gold is owned by Hong Kong based David Hui and I have never met him. Captain America is owned by Delma Sherrell, Diane Nagel and Adam and Charlie Gurney.

Let’s discuss your success to date…

Total career wins? 472.

Grade 1 wins? 13.

Other feature wins? 22 Grade 2 & 3 wins.

Most number of winners in a season? 56.

Highest finishing position on provincial log? I am not sure about that.

Most number of winners on a day? 3.

Highest finishing position on national log? 16^th.

How many horses do you currently have and who is your biggest patron? I have 71 horses in my yard with many patrons.

Tell us briefly about the composition of your current team? I have a staff of 32 with 1 assistant trainer and 1 stable employee.

Which training centre do you train at? I am at Philippi.

Which jockeys do most of your track work? Glen Hatt.

Does the yard have a treadmill and if so, how useful is it for the horses? No.

Does the Crawford yard have a sponsor or a website? I have my own website on www.crawfordracing.net.

The Gauteng season is just around the corner. Are you planning on taking up any horses to race in the features?  Not at present.

Which horses are you bringing to KZN for the winter season? Hopefully we will be allocated boxes.

Are there any up-and-coming juveniles that the public can keep an eye on? My babies are still some way off being ready to run.

Describe a working day in the life of Brett Crawford? I leave home at 5.05. 1st string work at 6.00 followed by 2 more strings. I then do my paper work and accounts followed by afternoon stables.

Which are your favourite stallions? Dynasty, Captain Al and Silvano.

Will you be supporting the Cape Thoroughbred Sales? Yes.

Have you had a look at the yearlings on the farm? Yes.

What do you look for when purchasing yearlings? I look for an athletic yearling with a classic look.

What do you think of the great initiative by the CTS to host a 1 million dollars race in January 2016 for all graduates of this year’s sale? It is great for racing and looks sure to attract some new clients into the industry.

On which sale did you acquire JACKSON and how much did his owners pay for him? He was at the 2 year old sale in JHB and we paid R1 million for him.

Do you ever take your horses to the beach for training? Yes, I take them once a week.

Would you ever consider sending horses overseas if they were good enough? Yes.

Do you ever have a punt? Sometimes.

What is your philosophy on the racing game? Honesty is the best policy.

Outside of racing what is your biggest passion? I love sport.

How do you celebrate a big win? Dinner with my clients.

What short/long term ambitions do you have for yourself? I strive to attain good runners to winners strike rate.

Does the old maxim, “Behind every successful man is an equally successful woman,” apply to Brett Crawford? Indeed. My wife, Jill, is a huge support to me in a tough and demanding industry.