For a stable with just seven horses in work and an approach that places horse welfare ahead of everything else, Come Together's victory carried significance well beyond the winner's enclosure. It provided the Lola Crawford yard with its first winner of the season after 46 runners, a result made even more meaningful as daughter Taryn Crawford now oversees the day-to-day operation of the stable following the recent passing of Stuart Crawford, two weeks ago. 

The win reflected a philosophy that has long defined the Crawford family's involvement in racing. Success is measured not only by results but by ensuring each horse reaches its individual potential.

A Different Approach

Lola Crawford said the stable currently houses seven horses, with several older campaigners having retired while a group of yearlings and young stock remain on the farm.

"We are very alternative in our approach to racing. Horse care and to keep the horses healthy and happy comes absolutely first and that is not negotiable," she said speaking to SAHorseracing.COM after the win. 

She believes racing's challenges are often overlooked, particularly when expectations are placed on horses whose abilities may be limited.

"All thoroughbreds are athletes. But they are not all racehorses. And we do our best with the horses that we have in our yard."

Crawford pointed to one of her current runners, Chef's Kiss, as an example. Despite physical limitations and a modest rating, the mare continues to race enthusiastically.

"She's very small, very limited. She has got a muscle enzyme problem. But we try to keep her healthy because she really does enjoy her racing."

After finishing second over 1600m on Saturday, Crawford said the stable took just as much satisfaction from the effort as they would from many victories.

"She was so pleased and proud of herself after the run. And that for us is what racing is about. To get each horse to perform as well as it can genetically and physically."

Breeding With Patience

The family's involvement extends beyond training. Through Greenhill Farm, they breed a small number of foals each year and favour larger paddocks rather than intensive commercial practices.

"We like big paddocks. We like the horses to run and play and enjoy themselves and build themselves up outside."

Crawford revealed the farm currently has yearlings by Eden Roc and Chimichuri Run, two stallions she hopes can help strengthen KwaZulu-Natal breeding.

Her connection to Chimichuri Run is particularly personal, as he is out of Spiced Gold, a mare with special significance to the family.

"We're sentimentally attached to him. She produced a group winner and he has produced some winners from his first crop. So we're hoping he might be okay."

Owners Must Be Horse Lovers First

The stable's philosophy also influences the type of owners it attracts.

Crawford made it clear that patience and an understanding of horse welfare are essential qualities.

"We don't have many owners. They need to be horse lovers first and racing people second."

She added that owners must trust that every decision is made with both the horse's welfare and the owner's interests in mind.

"Horses unfortunately cost money and if you're not prepared to spend money on your horse's care then you must do ants or silkworms."

That commitment extends beyond a horse's racing career.

"If after a few runs the horse does not want to be a racehorse or seriously shows no ability or inclination then we would rather call it quits and the horse can go and change jobs."

Crawford said the stable carefully manages the placement of retired runners and continues to monitor their welfare after they leave racing.

Pride In The Next Generation

Among the horses that remain close to the family's heart is Silver Cent, bred by Taryn Crawford from her own mare.

Silver Cent did not make his debut until the age of four and remained in training until nine, retiring sound after winning six races.

"He was very, very naughty," Crawford recalled. "But he ended up sound as a nine-year-old. A six-time winner with multiple places."

Looking ahead, she believes stronger bloodstock could eventually see the stable competing at a higher level.

"I am sure when we breed better horses the girls will be competing in some of the bigger races and we so look forward to that."

The future of the stable rests heavily with daughters Taryn Crawford and Haley Crawford, both of whom have built their involvement in racing through a lifelong commitment to horses.

Crawford said both women graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and remain involved in the industry because of their passion for Thoroughbreds.

"My daughters Taryn and Hailey are both educated. They've both got degrees from UKZN. They're involved with horses because they're passionate about horses and about Thoroughbreds in particular."

That passion has been matched by practical experience across every stage of a horse's development.

"They are both excellent horsewomen. They both can ride, very, very accomplished riders. They showjump. They've done every discipline since they could walk."

Crawford emphasized that their knowledge extends well beyond riding.

"They can foal down the mares, look after the youngsters, back the two-year-olds. There is pretty much nothing that they can't do themselves with regard to the Thoroughbreds."

She believes that broad hands-on experience provides a strong foundation for their futures in racing.

"They are training and they are involved in our industry because of the love and the passion that they've got for it."

Taryn currently oversees the Summerveld operation and has earned particular praise from her mother for the way she has managed a modest string. Whilst Haley is an assistant to Sabine Plattner's resident trainer Andre Nel in their operation in KZN. 

"Taryn is running our Summerveld yard at the moment and she really is doing a brilliant job with some very, very poor and average horses."

That assessment made Come Together's victory all the more significant, arriving at a time when the stable continues to rebuild and develop its next generation.

"I can't wait to get some decent horses into the yard," Crawford said.

Come Together Delivers

While the stable's long-term ambitions remain firmly in place, it was Come Together who provided an important milestone.

Crawford described the filly as uncomplicated and responsive to the extra attention she has received since joining the yard.

"She's a lovely filly. She's very straightforward and uncomplicated. She really appreciates the extra attention and she really has come to the party."

Perhaps most encouraging was the manner in which she finished her race.

"I think she will go further. She's very versatile and she finished the race very well today."

The trainer believes the filly has continued to improve since arriving at the stable and hopes there is more progress to come.

"She's done very, very well since moving to our yard and we're hoping that she'll continue to do well."

Crawford also acknowledged the support of the ownership group, including in particular Gavin Govender, whose faith in the stable was rewarded with his first winner. 

"We're grateful for the owners. We do appreciate their support and we're really so lucky to have them."

For a stable built on patience, welfare and long-term thinking, Come Together's victory was a reminder that persistence can still be rewarded.