Leading Grade 1 winning trainer Brett Crawford starts the new year on a winning note with the news that he has joined the Hollywoodbets stable and is now sponsored by South Africa’s leading international sportsbook operator.
CRAWFORD RACING GOES PURPLE
Hollywoodbets sponsor a variety of trainers countrywide, and the formal signing of a sponsorship partnership agreement with the powerful racing stable is a further building block in the symbiotic relationship that already exists between Hollywoodbets and two leading industry players in Brett Crawford Racing and the Kieswetter family-owned international breeding powerhouse, Ridgemont.
Talking to the Sporting Post on Sunday, Brett Crawford said that it was an honour and a privilege for his team to take up the offer of partnering with a winning name in what is a natural step in the evolution of an association that had its roots in the Hollywood Syndicate-Ridgemont partnership that started some two years.
“We have been fortunate to see our support by the Hollywood Syndicate grow exponentially through their partnership with our existing top owners Ridgemont, and the momentous achievement last season of a Cape summer Grade 1 double courtesy of the brilliant Ridgemont-bred and Hollywood Syndicate-raced Dynasty filly Make It Snappy remains one of my personal career highlights.”
The 52-year-old conditioner, the reigning Hollywoodbets Durban July champion trainer, added that the contribution and supporting pillars provided to South African horseracing by the Hollywood brand over the past few years was unquestionably a lifechanger for the industry, and that he would carry the yellow and purple flag with pride into what is set to be an exciting 2024.
“We have all seen how the Hollywood team do things – simply properly and professionally. It’s the way I would like to believe I try and run my own business,” added Crawford.
Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager Devin Heffer reciprocated Brett Crawford’s thoughts on the evolution of the broader partnership between the top stable, and the union of the Hollywood Syndicate and Ridgemont.
“The synergy and common goals for the good of racing, that already exist in what has been a thoroughly enjoyable and winning association for our team, now get taken to the next level with Hollywoodbets’ sponsorship of Brett Crawford Racing. We look forward to many more memorable racing moments!” added Devin Heffer.
With 35 career Grade 1 winners, including victories in the Durban July, Met, and the Queen’s Plate to his name since starting his career at the turn of the century, Brett Crawford ranks amongst South Africa’s pre-eminent trainers of the 21st century.
The Brett Crawford Racing headquarters are at Futura Park in Philippi, where he has a string of 120.
He also established a satellite base at Randjesfontein under the management of his 24-year-old son James, some three seasons ago. The Brett Crawford Racing head count is currently 40 on the Highveld.
“While the renaissance of Cape Racing has been nothing short of remarkable, there was a time when our racing was in serious trouble and reportedly days away from business rescue. We have a loyal staff nucleus and many families that rely on us, and it was at that time that we had to reconsider our future business prospects and we looked North.”
Brett’s son James was fortunate to spend some time under the mentorship of the master Mike de Kock as part of his apprenticeship to run the new base.
“I learnt my trade from some great trainers, and James is very fortunate to have learnt from the best. A good foundation, like a good start, is vital and I knew he could only go forward. Fortuitously, the move to open a satellite yard has thus proven a winner on all fronts, with James showing his dedication and ability, and the yard proving a highly successful feeder base into our successful KZN Champion season raids – Winchester Mansion’s sensational victory in the 2023 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July being the most notable!”
L’Ormarins King’s Plate Day
While his first runners under the Hollywoodbets banner will be at Turffontein on Thursday, looking ahead to this coming Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, where the L’Ormarins King’s Plate headlines a bumper dual Gr1 programme, Brett observes that it takes a ‘very special horse’ to win what he considers to be South Africa’s premier weight-for-age mile.
And he should know! In seven vintage renewals of the Royal Mile between 2013 and 2019, he won it once, ran second three times, third once, fourth once, and fifth once.
“I won this great race with the top-class Futura in 2015, and then that very special horse Jackson, also a son of Dynasty, ran second in consecutive years. He was beaten in 2013 by Variety Club and the next year by Capetown Noir. And then our big boy Captain America – he ran fourth, second and third consecutively in the ‘Legal Eagle years’ of 2016, 2017 and 2018. Undercover Agent ran fifth in 2019.”
On Saturday, Brett Crawford saddles the 2023 WSB Gr1 SA Classic winner Anfields Rocket for the Hollywood Syndicate in the magic mile.
He says that the son of Coup de Grace has been with him just over a month since running unplaced in the Betway Summer Cup, and that he is still getting to know him.
“He is a Gr1 winner and has done nothing wrong in his work. But we are under no false illusions – he has quite a bit to do to challenge the top contenders. It’s something of a baptism of fire return to the Cape for the handsome chestnut!” he suggested.
Happy Chance runs in the Hollywood Syndicate silks in the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes a half hour earlier.
“I am very pleased with her. She’s enjoyed an excellent prep into this race, and while SA Horse Of The Year Princess Calla is clearly the one to beat, I believe that Happy Chance is the best of the rest. We have a ticket – and a very smart 4yo filly carrying it for us,” he added.
The first race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday is off at 12:25.
