Latest news with #JamesCrawford
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
SA gears up for epic weekend of sport
Springboks, Proteas, and the Durban July headline a weekend of world-class sport and entertainment. Last year Oriental Charm became the second straight Durban July winner to have been prepared by James Crawford at Randjesfontein. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images If you are a sports fan, then there is probably no better time than the first weekend of July. Our national rugby team host Italy at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow in the first of two Tests, while our Proteas men's cricket team – the world Test champions – are up against Zimbabwe in the second Test in Bulawayo from Sunday, having won by 382 runs with a young, new-look team at the same venue in the first Test this week. Both teams are led by new captains, the Springboks by Jesse Kriel in the absence of the injured Siya Kolisi and the Proteas by Wiaan Mulder, who covers for the injured duo of Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj. The Springbok rugby women are also in action in Pretoria against Canada. ALSO READ: Inside the must-attend marquees at the 2025 Durban July It's also time for Africa's premier horse race, the Durban July, which not only attracts racing fanatics, but also fashionistas at Greyville racecourse. Abroad, there's the start of the Tour de France cycling race from Lille tomorrow, tennis' third Grand Slam of the year finishes the first week of play on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon, the British and Irish Lions are on tour Down Under and there's several incoming rugby Test series between New Zealand and France, Japan and Wales, Argentina and England and Georgia and Ireland. Phew, we are definitely spoilt for choice.
News24
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Exciting Hollywoodbets Durban July final field unveiled
All set for 5 July! A nationally representative field will line up on Saturday 5 July for the 129th renewal of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July, with the 2024 defending champion Oriental Charm jumping from the pole position gate. That was the news to emerge on Tuesday when the capacity field for the 2025 running, sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by Hollywoodbets, was proudly unveiled by Race Coast at Hollywoodbets Greyville, the historic home of Africa's Greatest Horse Racing and Social Event. History could be made for Champion jockey Defending champion Oriental Charm, now in the sole care of James Crawford, who will be saddling his first July runners for his own account, heads the weights, carrying 60kgs alongside two high-class hometown challengers in See It Again and Gladatorian. South African champion trainer Justin Snaith has three runners in his bid for his sixth Hollywoodbets Durban July victory. The Snaith attack is headed by the champion 3yo Eight On Eighteen, whose participation in the great race has been a talking point for two months. Record breaking SA Champion jockey Richard Fourie will partner Eight On Eighteen and bids for his personal fourth trophy in the 2200m contest. Chasing glory: Trainers ready to make history While the iconic Syd Laird leads the honour boards with 7 Durban July winners, Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock (in partnership with son Mathew), are both in line for a sixth trophy, which would place them in the heady realm of the late great Terrance Millard. Former dual SA champion jockey Warren Kennedy, returns from New Zealand to ride Highveld raider Confederate for Fabian Habib. Candice Bass-Robinson, who became the first lady trainer to lift a July trophy when Marinaresco won in 2017, enjoys the honour of saddling the only filly in the field, in Rainbow Lorikeet. As anticipation builds for Africa's greatest horse racing event, the announcement of the final field marks a key milestone in the countdown to the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
The South African
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Hollywoodbets Durban July: ALL the TRAINERS with runners
The list of trainers who have horses in the 129th renewal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 5 July makes for interesting reading. The Grade 1 race over 2 200m will go off at 16:00. Top Cape Town-based trainer Justin Snaith has three horses in the race, including current favourite Eight On Eighteen. Snaith's other two other runners are Okavango and the one-time winner Native Ruler. James Crawford has two runners in the race, last year's winner Oriental Charm who drew pole position, and Pomodoro's Jet who drew eight. It would be an emotional win for James Crawford, who recently took over his father's string with Brett now plying his trade in Hong Kong. No other trainer has more than one entrant in the final field of 18 horses. Sydney Laird – 7 : (1961, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1978) Terence Millard – 6 : (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990) Mike de Kock – 5 : (2001, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2022) Justin Snaith – 5 : (2008, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020) RELATED | Every previous Hollywoodbets Durban July winner since 1897 Horse Trainer Eight on Eighteen (11) Justin Snaith Oriental Charm (1) James Crawford Immediate Edge (10) Mike/Mat de Kock See It Again (15) Michael Roberts The Real Prince (5) Dean Kannemeyer Gladatorian (16) Stuart Ferrie Selukwe (6) Andre Nel Royal Victory (17) Nathan Kotzen Okavango (13) Justin Snaith Atticus Finch (4) Alec Laird Confederate (14) Fabian Habib Native Ruler (18) Justin Snaith Madison Valley (2) Frank Robinson My Best Shot (9) Alan Greeff On My Honour (3) Glen Kotzen Purple Pitcher (12) Robyn Klaasen Pomodoro's Jet (8) James Crawford Rainbow Lorikeet (7) Candice Bass-Robinson Reserve runners Litigation (19) Sean Tarry Son Of Raj (20) Tony Peter NOTE: Barrier draw in brackets There was a collective sigh of relief within the gathered crowd in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring when the name of Eight On Eighteen was read out by Graeme Hawkins as being among the 18 runners for the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, 5 July. Trainer Justin Snaith was always cagey about whether his star colt would take his place in the line-up, given that he would carry top weight for a three-year-old of 57kg – the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016. But Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert have taken the plunge and Eight On Eighteen will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old in history to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in the same year Eight On Eighteen is also likely to start one of the shortest priced favourites in the 129-year history of the race and his chances were further enhanced when he was drawn 11 in the 18-horse field. James Crawford has two runners in the race, last year's winner Oriental Charm who drew pole position, and Pomodoro's Jet who drew eight. It would be an emotional win for James Crawford, who recently took over his father's string with Brett now plying his trade in Hong Kong. See It Again races in the same Nick Jonsson silks as Eight On Eighteen and has his third attempt after finishing second to Winchester Mansion two years back and an unlucky fifth last year behind Oriental Charm. He pulled a wide draw of 15. Stuart Ferrie sends out his first July runner in the hard-knocking Gladatorian. A fast-finishing third behind Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Gold Challenge, he also drew a wide gate of 16. Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeofthetiger and Power King, and The Real Prince drew gate five. Royal Victory will have his supporters but Nathan Kotzen's charge drew deep at 17. However, he is a winner of the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup and the Grade 1 Champion Challenge at Turffontein and finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm. Fabian Habib has his first July runner in Confederate. Relatively lightly raced, the gelding has won four of his nine starts but has never finishing further back than second. He won the Grade 1 SA Classic, beating subsequent Grade 1 Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack, and will be ridden by two-time South African and current New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy who has made the trip to ride in the race. He drew gate 14. Mike de Kock has a stellar record in this race and has joined forces with his son Mathew. They have their first July runner together in the three-year-old and recent Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes winner Immediate Edge. He carries bottom weight for a three-year-old male of 53kg and has won four of his six starts to date. He drew alongside Eight On Eighteen in gate 10. Snaith has two other runners in the race, namely Okavango and the one-time winner Native Ruler. Okavango will be ridden by Andrew Fortune and drew 13 while Tristan Godden will have to navigate Native Ruler from gate 18. Alec Laird and jockey Calvin Habib pin their hopes on Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch who drew favourably in four. Andre Nel was first up to do the draw for Selukwe and came out with gate six. Serino Moodley will be doing the honours on Selukwe. Alan Greeff will fly the colours for the Eastern Cape with his star performer My Best Shot who has a midfield draw of nine. Local owner Sid Moodley has his first July runner in Madison Valley and he drew gate two for his trainer Frank Robinson. Rainbow Lorikeet is the only filly in the race and Candice Bass Robinson's runner drew well in seven and will have Diego de Gouveia aboard. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Hollywoodbets Durban July: Jockeys confirmed
The list of jockeys for the 130th renewal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run on Saturday, 5 July has been confirmed. Image: Cape Racing The all-important list of jockeys for the 130th renewal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 5 July has been confirmed. ADVERTISEMENT The Grade 1 race over 2 200m will go off at 16:00. JP van der Merwe will return to ride defending champion Oriental Charm for James Crawford. Meanwhile, champion South African jockey Richard Fourie will be aboard Eight On Eighteen for trainer Justin Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert. Fourie is gunning for a fourth Hollywoodbets Durban July title having previously won aboard Belgarion (2020), Do It Again (2019) and Legislate (2014). ADVERTISEMENT Other previous winners of the race who will ride in this year's race include Gavin Lerena (Madison Valley), S'manga Khumalo (On My Honour) and Kabelo Matsunyane (Purple Pitcher). RELATED | Every previous Hollywoodbets Durban July winner since 1897 Horse Jockey Eight on Eighteen (11) Richard Fourie Oriental Charm (1) JP van der Merwe Immediate Edge (10) Callan Murray See It Again (15) Raymond Danielson The Real Prince (5) Craig Zackey Gladatorian (16) Sean Veale Selukwe (6) Serino Moodley Royal Victory (17) Muzi Yeni Okavango (13) Andrew Fortune Atticus Finch (4) Calvin Habib Confederate (14) Warren Kennedy Native Ruler (18) Tristan Godden Madison Valley (2) Gavin Lerena My Best Shot (9) Chase Maujean On My Honour (3) S'manga Khumalo Purple Pitcher (12) Kableo Matsunyane Pomodoro's Jet (8) Athandiwe Mgudlwa Rainbow Lorikeet (7) Diego de Gouveia Reserve runners Litigation (19) Reserve 1 Son Of Raj (20) Reserve 2 NOTE: Barrier draw in brackets Final field revealed There was a collective sigh of relief within the gathered crowd in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring when the name of Eight On Eighteen was read out by Graeme Hawkins as being among the 18 runners for the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, 5 July. Trainer Justin Snaith was always cagey about whether his star colt would take his place in the line-up, given that he would carry top weight for a three-year-old of 57kg – the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016. But Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert have taken the plunge and Eight On Eighteen will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old in history to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in the same year Eight On Eighteen is also likely to start one of the shortest priced favourites in the 129-year history of the race and his chances were further enhanced when he was drawn 11 in the 18-horse field. 'Would be an emotional win' James Crawford has two runners in the race, last year's winner Oriental Charm who drew pole position, and Pomodoro's Jet who drew eight. It would be an emotional win for James Crawford, who recently took over his father's string with Brett now plying his trade in Hong Kong. See It Again races in the same Nick Jonsson silks as Eight On Eighteen and has his third attempt after finishing second to Winchester Mansion two years back and an unlucky fifth last year behind Oriental Charm. He pulled a wide draw of 15. Stuart Ferrie sends out his first July runner in the hard-knocking Gladatorian. A fast-finishing third behind Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Gold Challenge, he also drew a wide gate of 16. Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeofthetiger and Power King, and The Real Prince drew gate five. Royal Victory will have his supporters but Nathan Kotzen's charge drew deep at 17. However, he is a winner of the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup and the Grade 1 Champion Challenge at Turffontein and finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm. Fabian Habib has his first July runner in Confederate. Relatively lightly raced, the gelding has won four of his nine starts but has never finishing further back than second. He won the Grade 1 SA Classic, beating subsequent Grade 1 Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack, and will be ridden by two-time South African and current New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy who has made the trip to ride in the race. He drew gate 14. 'Stellar record' Mike de Kock has a stellar record in this race and has joined forces with his son Mathew. They have their first July runner together in the three-year-old and recent Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes winner Immediate Edge. He carries bottom weight for a three-year-old male of 53kg and has won four of his six starts to date. He drew alongside Eight On Eighteen in gate 10. Snaith has two other runners in the race, namely Okavango and the one-time winner Native Ruler. Okavango will be ridden by Andrew Fortune and drew 13 while Tristan Godden will have to navigate Native Ruler from gate 18. Alec Laird and jockey Calvin Habib pin their hopes on Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch who drew favourably in four. Andre Nel was first up to do the draw for Selukwe and came out with gate six. Serino Moodley will be doing the honours on Selukwe. Alan Greeff will fly the colours for the Eastern Cape with his star performer My Best Shot who has a midfield draw of nine. Local owner Sid Moodley has his first July runner in Madison Valley and he drew gate two for his trainer Frank Robinson. Rainbow Lorikeet is the only filly in the race and Candice Bass Robinson's runner drew well in seven and will have Diego de Gouveia aboard. Have you ever attended the Hollywoodbets Durban July? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
New wellbeing hub opening at Mamhilad Park Estate, Pontypool
The hub will be located at Mamhilad Park Estate, near Pontypool, and will provide space for up to 15 different businesses. The first occupiers of the hub will be Case UK and OH-One, who will take an office and a physiotherapy room. The hub is being marketed to local and regional organisations looking to start up, scale up, or co-locate with other complementary operators. It will be situated in a dedicated wing of Mamhilad House and will offer flexible occupancy agreements starting from 140 sq ft and £245 plus VAT per calendar month. Case UK, which provides mental and physical health and wellbeing services for the employed and self-employed, will use the hub as its Torfaen and Monmouthshire base. The company offers an 'in-work service' funded by the Welsh Government, which provides rapid access to physiotherapy, psychological, and occupational therapy to improve health and wellbeing and reduce sickness absence. OH-One, which provides occupational health and wellbeing services to businesses across the UK, will have two physiotherapists based at the new suite, providing therapy five days a week. Byron Hayward of Case UK said: "Opening a facility at Mamhilad Park Estate is ideal for us with such great access to Torfaen, Monmouthshire, and Newport as well as the 150 different businesses and their 2000 staff who work here. "The beautiful natural setting, which fits so well with our wellbeing ethos, plus free parking for our clients, and the affordability made it an easy decision. "The team here has been really accommodating and it's been really helpful to be able to move straight into a convenient temporary base here while we work with them on our permanent office." The wellbeing hub is the latest addition to the 140-acre Mamhilad Park Estate, which is already home to a wide variety of sectors, including professional services firms, creative studios, high-security businesses, manufacturing, emergency services, and NHS healthcare units. It Is 1.4 million sq. ft of office and industrial space also includes a café, nursery, gym, and hair and beauty salons as well as training facilities, meeting rooms, and extensive storage facilities. James Crawford, chief executive of Johnsey Estates UK Limited, the estate's owner-managers, said: "Studies consistently show that employees who are in good physical and mental health are more motivated, engaged, and productive, and effective health and wellbeing programmes can see productivity increase by up to 20 per cent. "Mamhilad Park Estate, with our picturesque, landscaped gardens, is the perfect setting for a community of wellbeing businesses. "Alongside making sure they are superbly maintained, our focus is on making sure we do all we can to give occupiers a real opportunity to thrive, with flexible, affordable space and terms. "We are particularly pleased to welcome Case UK and OH-One as our first occupiers at the new Wellness Hub and look forward to seeing the difference that they make to local businesses that access the specialist support and healthcare that is available to them."
