BRETT CRAWFORD

Brett Crawford is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the month.

Brett is one of a few out-of-province trainers operating satellite yards in KwaZulu-Natal with success and runners from the yard are always presented in top condition for the races they contest at Greyville or Scottsville.

Currently fifth on the National Trainer Log with the highest winner to runner percentage,runners out of his KwaZulu-Natal yard won 40% of the races they competed in. During the month the stable sent out 22 runners and won with nine of them with another three making the frame.

A stable always highly respected, it earned its rewards this month.

Well done Brett

DENNIS BOSCH

The Gold Circle Trainer Award for the month goes to Dennis Bosch

Had he not had a battle with his weight, Dennis would undoubtedly have been a major contender for champion jockey over the many years when he displayed his talent as a jockey that was among the best the country had seen.

As a “heavyweight” rider he was limited to the number of rides he could take but when he got his chances it was a treat to see how he became one with his mounts and seemed to effortlessly extract the best from them.

Highly popular in the racing community with his jovial personality and among his patrons in particular, Dennis enjoyed a well-earned month to top the provincial trainer’s log with six winners and 13 places at a win-place strike rate of 51.35%.

Well done Dennis

DENNIS DRIER

The Gold Circle Trainer Award for the month has been bestowed on Dennis Drier

Dennis is one of the stalwarts of racing in South Africa and has been the KwaZulu-Natal regional champion trainer on many occasions over the years. The nephew and protege of one of the greatest South African trainers of all time, the legendary Syd Laird, his career success over many decades is a tribute to his mentor and to his talent and dedication to his passion.

It is also what the racing public and owners look for in a stable to follow and during the month Dennis again showed his outstanding talent in presenting his charges on a level of perfection that saw 10 make the winner’s enclosure and a further 16 of the 47 runners fielded in the month earning place cheques for their connections.

An example of professionalism and unfailing dedication to inspire any young conditioner, it was yet another performance worthy of the monthly award.

Well done Dennis

JUSTIN SNAITH

Justin has had an incredible KZN Champions Season this year and he made no secret that he was expecting good results with the top string he brought here. The cherry on the top for this month was no doubt the Snaith stable winning the Vodacom Durban July with the son of Twice Over DO IT AGAIN but also finishing second and third. A top achievement which sees him being named this month’s Gold Circle Trainer of the month.

Well done Justin and your entire team.

DENNIS DRIER

Dennis has been awarded the Gold Circle Trainer of the month for June 2018. He saddled 7 winners from 52 runners and recorded a 50% win and place strike rate. Dennis will also receive the award for KZN Champion Trainer at the upcoming KZN Racing awards.

Well done Dennis, Gill, Stuart and your entire team on some fine achievements.

DOUG CAMPBELL

Doug is a veteran trainer having trained for many years. During the month of Feb he saddled 37 runners and recorded 5 wins and 9 places. His total stakes earned was R425875-00.

Well Done Doug!

Lezanne Forbes

Lezanne Forbes is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the Month for January 2018.

From a small yard, Lezanne saddled four winners from 21 runners for a 19% winning strike rate. Her runners totalled R296k in stake earnings.

Well done Lezanne!

DUNCAN HOWELLS

Duncan led the KZN Trainers Championship by number of winners going into the New Year and for the nine winners he saddled in December, one more than Dennis Bosch. Duncan is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the Month for December.

Well done Duncan

MARK DIXON

South African racing is blessed with a host of top-class trainers and Mark can be numbered among them but racing is very much a personal thing when it comes to ownership and the choice of the conditioner one decides to employ.

Given the right horses to work with, most trainers have the talent to produce results and Mark has shown that on many occasions over the years. With the “big” horses from around the country now back in their home bases after Champions Season, the smaller local stables are flexing their muscles and Mark had a good month with five wins and seven placings from just 23 runners – a win-place strike rate of 52%.

Well done Mark

LOUIS GOOSEN

Relocating a complete stable of horses from one region to another and getting the feel of the tracks and facilities is a major operation for any trainer but, probably because Louis saw the Ashburton training centre outside Pietermaritzburg as “a heaven for horses”, the transition from the Vaal came a lot easier for him.

Making the move at the beginning of the season, Louis has caused something of a storm in KwaZulu-Natal and when one tallies up his successes for the month of October, one sees he had notched up seven wins and the same number of placings from just 25 runners. That put him at the top of the provincial trainer log for the month and his supporters would have been extremely happy with a R20 profit if they had played a R1 win bet on each of his runners.

Gold Circle and the local racing public welcome Louis to the region and wish him continued success in the future.