Crawford Racing to open satellite yard in KwaZulu Natal
– After a season’s best finish at third on the National Trainers’ Log, aided by an extremely productive stint during the Natal winter season, Crawford Racing will soon be opening a satellite yard at Summerveld.
Operators Gold Circle have allocated 30 boxes for this new venture from 1 October. Trainer Brett Crawford will be partnered by Peter Muscutt, who will take responsibility for the Durban operation.
He was a vital part of the team who secured four Grade 1 wins and many other significant races over the last few months.
Muscutt, who has been working with famous Sydney trainer Chris Waller, has decided against returning to Australia and Singapore, and is instead seizing this opportunity to sustain a productive working association with Crawford – a close family friend from Zimbabwe.
Muscutt commented: “I would like to thank Gold Circle for giving Brett and myself the opportunity of opening a satellite yard at Summerveld where the training facilities are world class. The venture presents an exciting new chapter for me after being away from South Africa for the last seven years.
The knowledge and experience I gained while in Australia has been invaluable and I am looking forward to what lies ahead. Brett and I spliced well together during the Champion Season and a continuation of that looks likely to make for a very successful satellite operation in Durban.”
Opening this yard gives Crawford Racing more options for maximising the career paths of horses in their care. Some thoroughbreds benefit from the subtropical climate and the Greyville Polytrack suits horses with a particular stride pattern and running style.
Natal racing is strongest during winter when major stables move their strings in for the big races, but at other times of the year the standard drops, making it an attractive venue for lesser lights who become more competitive when facing relatively weaker rivals.
It will be a fluent arrangement, with horses able to move back and forth between Cape Town and Durban as deemed appropriate. Crawford is currently in discussions with his loyal band of owners, working out the best possible solution so that the initial team sent to Durban will earn consistently well under Muscutt’s expertise and provide connections with loads of racing pleasure.
Muscutt has also built up many contacts on his overseas adventures and these Australian and Singapore investors have expressed interest in sending horses to or investing in South African racing, which will add further strength to the string.
Racing is inherently a competitive business and nothing comes easily – Crawford Racing are aware of the challenges involved in expanding their operation.
But with the right personnel making smart training decisions, together with ongoing support from faithful owners, there is every chance the Durban satellite yard will soon be cranking out the winners. – crawfordracing.co.za