Brett Crawford will become the latest trainer from South Africa to ply his trade in Hong Kong after receiving a licence to compete in the city for the upcoming 2025/26 racing season.
Crawford, 53, follows the likes of former South African-based handlers Tony Millard (709 Hong Kong wins) and David Ferraris (460) by switching tacks to Hong Kong as he was welcomed at Sha Tin this morning (Friday, 7 February) by Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew Harding, at a press briefing.
“When we came to look for an outstanding talent to recruit from South Africa to join the ranks of training in Hong Kong frankly the natural choice was Brett Crawford. He has achieved great success with some 38 Group 1 wins, and has all of the attributes we look for including the experience of dual-site training,” Mr Andrew Harding said.
“We are delighted that he and his partner Gwen have made the decision to join us, and I look forward to him making an outstanding contribution to Hong Kong’s world-class racing.”
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Crawford has worked his entire life in horse racing, including with some of South Africa’s best trainers – Eric Sands, Dennis Drier and Mike de Kock. He became an assistant trainer at age 17.
“I’ve been training in South Africa for many years, and I have always been interested in moving to Hong Kong. I’m very pleased that I have been granted the opportunity to come to Hong Kong. The integrity and professionalism of The Hong Kong Jockey Club is what attracted me to Hong Kong racing, for me, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m very thankful for the privilege to be granted a licence in Hong Kong,” Crawford said.
“It’s (Hong Kong) basically a global stage and it’s probably one of the few places in the world that has talent from all over the world competing against each other, so without a doubt it definitely makes you bring out the best in yourself and I think for me that’s probably the greatest challenge that I am looking forward to.”
In 2001, Crawford became Sabine Plattner’s private trainer – a leading owner in South Africa – before taking out an open licence in 2010. Currently based in the Western Cape, along with a satellite stable in Johannesburg, Crawford works in partnership with son James.
The duo struck a first Group 1 triumph in tandem when Fatal Flaw captured the 2024 G1 Cape Fillies Guineas (1600m) last December.
Overall, Crawford Snr boasts over 1,400 wins, led by the last two editions of the G1 Durban July (2200m) with Winchester Mansion (2023) and Oriental Charm (2024). Crawford’s 2016/17 season proved memorable with six Group 1 triumphs in South Africa.
Other feature wins for Crawford include three in Cape Town’s premier race – G1 The Met (2000m) – with Angus (2003), Futura (2015) and Whisky Baron (2017). He also trained Group 1 winners Captain America, Make It Snappy, Run Fox Run and Northern Superstar.
“Knowledge is key for me in any industry, so the more you can learn from other people, I think it puts you in a good stead going forward. Obviously, I have spoken to Mr Millard as well as Mr Ferraris and I know them both very well, I have prepared horses back in South Africa for Hong Kong in the past for Mr Millard.
“But the situation has changed a lot now with the export protocol being reduced drastically, which I think is going to make an amazing difference to the horses that arrive in Hong Kong now,” Crawford said.
Crawford also took current Hong Kong-based rider Karis Teetan under his wing in South Africa, winning over 50 races together, including the 2012 G1 Paddock Stakes (1800m) and 2013 G1 Empress Club Stakes (1600m) with Thunder Dance. Teetan and Crawford also won the 2012 G1 Cape Derby (2000m) and 2012 G1 Daily News 2000 (2000m) with Jackson.
“Karis was riding for me before he got the invitation to come to Hong Kong. We were very successful and obviously I have a very good working relationship with him – I think he is a talented young man, and I think he has proven that in Hong Kong,” Crawford said.
Crawford’s first winner was National Beaut, who scored over 1000m at Kenilworth in 2001.
“This opportunity has come at a fantastic time for me because my son and I did a joint training partnership in December, and he’s now well established in South Africa.
“James will take over the stable on the first of June and it’s a nice pool to look at now with the export protocol being the way it is and obviously we’ll be looking hard to bring some nice young horses to Hong Kong,” Crawford said.
Legendary South African jockey-turned-trainer Douglas Whyte – who won a record-setting 13 consecutive riding titles in Hong Kong (2000/01-2012/13) – is currently licenced in Hong Kong with 222 career wins (as a trainer). Former South African based riders Lyle Hewitson, Luke Ferraris, Keagan De Melo and Teetan are all currently licenced in Hong Kong.
By Declan Schuster
