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Crawley has developed a reputation as being one of the shrewdest young trainers in the county!
You will be hearing a lot more about him in years to come!
Tuesday, 06 October 2026
The shrewd Shane Crawley shot into the limelight back in 2019 when sending out Sassy Diva to win at the Dublin Racing Festival.
She was a smashing mare, who won three times for the Tara-based trainer, and her finest hour arrived at Leopardstown during Ireland's marquee jumps festival when she landed the Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Donagh Meyler.
"Sassy Diva was some mare," Crawley said. "She was around at a time when there were some unbelievable mares around, too. She was second to Honeysuckle at Thurles and she went on to win two Champion Hurdles. She chased home Fayonagh one day in a bumper at Fairyhouse, too, and she went on to win at Cheltenham, as well, so the form isn't too bad!
"If those mares weren't around that time, she would have been up there with the best of them. I wouldn't mind a few more like her now!"
Not only did Sassy Diva bag three wins, but she was placed on seven other occasions and mopped up the best part of 100,000 in prize-money.
After taking out his training licence in 2014, Crawley wasted little time in celebrating his first winner as Cashelard Lady struck at Wexford the following year under Johnny King.
More recently, Dell Boys Diva has been doing the stable proud over the summer winning at Roscommon and Wexford. There may be more to come from the daughter of Court Cave who could have another success or two in her locker.
When asked for his racing idol, Crawley replied: "It would have to be Henry Cecil. He did some job with Frankel."
Looking forward to the season ahead, the trainer said: "We have about a dozen in training at the moment, and plenty of young horses, so I would be hoping some of them might be able to pick up a race or two along the way."
Crawley has developed a reputation as being one of the shrewdest young trainers in the county and you will be hearing a lot more about him in years to come.
First winner: Cashelard Lady at Wexford in 2015
Career Highlight: Sassy Diva winning at the Dublin Racing Festival in 2019
Racing Idol: Sir Henry Cecil
Horse To Follow: Del Boys Diva
She was a smashing mare, who won three times for the Tara-based trainer, and her finest hour arrived at Leopardstown during Ireland's marquee jumps festival when she landed the Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Donagh Meyler.
"Sassy Diva was some mare," Crawley said. "She was around at a time when there were some unbelievable mares around, too. She was second to Honeysuckle at Thurles and she went on to win two Champion Hurdles. She chased home Fayonagh one day in a bumper at Fairyhouse, too, and she went on to win at Cheltenham, as well, so the form isn't too bad!
"If those mares weren't around that time, she would have been up there with the best of them. I wouldn't mind a few more like her now!"
Not only did Sassy Diva bag three wins, but she was placed on seven other occasions and mopped up the best part of 100,000 in prize-money.
After taking out his training licence in 2014, Crawley wasted little time in celebrating his first winner as Cashelard Lady struck at Wexford the following year under Johnny King.
More recently, Dell Boys Diva has been doing the stable proud over the summer winning at Roscommon and Wexford. There may be more to come from the daughter of Court Cave who could have another success or two in her locker.
When asked for his racing idol, Crawley replied: "It would have to be Henry Cecil. He did some job with Frankel."
Looking forward to the season ahead, the trainer said: "We have about a dozen in training at the moment, and plenty of young horses, so I would be hoping some of them might be able to pick up a race or two along the way."
Crawley has developed a reputation as being one of the shrewdest young trainers in the county and you will be hearing a lot more about him in years to come.
First winner: Cashelard Lady at Wexford in 2015
Career Highlight: Sassy Diva winning at the Dublin Racing Festival in 2019
Racing Idol: Sir Henry Cecil
Horse To Follow: Del Boys Diva