Simon Crisford unveils training plans

Wednesday 25 June 2014, 9:45am

Former Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford is to set up his own training business, subject to approval from the British Horseracing Authority.

Crisford, who worked for Sheikh Mohammed's operation since its inception in 1994, left his position to take up the role of global racing advisor to the Maktoum family after a number of changes to the organisation in February.

He is to start his new career by renting out part of Clive Brittain's stable at Newmarket.

"It is something I have always wanted to do and I am delighted to have the opportunity to realise that ambition now," Crisford said.

Crisford will continue his consultancy work as international racing advisor to the Maktoum family and their associates.

The 52-year-old previously worked as assistant trainer to John Dunlop and Sir Mark Prescott and also has close associations with Saeed bin Suroor and Andre Fabre, two of Godolphin's main trainers.

"I have been around top class horses for the best part of 30 years, having also had the privilege of working closely with Saeed bin Suroor, Andre Fabre and John Gosden," Crisford said.

"But most of all I have learned so much about horses from Sheikh Mohammed. Without doubt he has been the greatest influence on my career.

"I will be operating as a public trainer but I also hope that the Maktoum family might consider supporting me."

Crisford's role changed at Godolphin on the back of an internal investigation by Lord Stevens into former trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, who was warned off for eight years.

The investigation concluded Al Zarooni acted alone in giving 11 horses in his stables banned substances, but that "stronger management, clearer accountability and better internal communication within the equestrian organisation" were needed.

As a result, the role of racing manager within the organisation no longer existed.

– PAA

Latest News

Prime Thoroughbreds - We have a Host of Leaders in our Team

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Prime Thor­ough­bred’s cur­rent rac­ing team is putt­ing to­gether quite a re­cord. We have 22 hors­es that have raced in our team at pre­sent. Six­teen of th­ese are win­n­ers in­clud­ing the Stakes win­n­ing trio Ru­bisa­ki, Fituese and Xtreme­time with Miss Di­vine Em and Miss In Charge run­n­ing 4th in Stakes races. This sees a stakes win­n­er to win­n­er ra­tio of 18.75% with a stake’s per­formed to win­n­er ra­tio of 31.25%. Th­ese are ex­cep­tio­n­al fig­ures.   More »

Freedmans land maiden Group One win

Saturday, 27 February 2021

Un­der-rat­ed fil­ly For­bid­den Love has emerged as an au­tumn car­ni­val smokey with a bril­liant per­for­mance to win the Sur­round Stakes at Rand­wick.  More »

Capriccio completes Damian Lane treble

Saturday, 27 February 2021

In a big day for coun­try-trained hors­es, War­r­nam­bool fil­ly Capric­cio has tak­en out the In­glis Dash for Daniel Bow­man.  More »

More news headlines »