Dubai: Simon Crisford, the former Godolphin racing manager, is hoping to receive the support of Dubai’s Maktoum family as he embarks on a training career in the UK.
Crisford spent 25 years with Godolphin, where he worked closely with Emirati trainer Saeed Bin Surour to help plot some of the Dubai-owned stable’s biggest wins.
He is preparing to apply for a trainer’s licence with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and will be operating out of veteran handler Clive Brittain’s Carlburg Stables in Newmarket, England.
“I am very excited to be setting up my own training business. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I am delighted to realise that ambition. Clive Brittain has kindly agreed to rent some boxes and I will be operating from his isolation yard,” Crisford said in The Guardian newspaper.
“I hope to start getting things together in time for the autumn sales so that everything is in place for the start of next flat season. I will be operating as a public trainer, but I also hope that the Maktoum family might consider supporting me.”
Godolphin is the Maktoum family’s pioneering thoroughbred horseracing stable created by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 1992. Since then, they have plundered over 2,000 victories in more than 12 different countries, including in excess of 200 wins at the highest level.
Crisford, who can take some of the credit for these achievements, said that he will continue to work as a consultant with the Maktoum family.
“I have been lucky enough throughout my career to work with some great people,” he said in the Racing Post. “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 Surour, Andre Fabre and John Gosden.
“But most of all, I have learned so much about horses from Shaikh Mohammad — without doubt he has been the greatest influence on my career.”
“My immediate plans are to start structuring my new business and recruit some talented staff.”
“I will be working hard to build a team of horses and to put everything in place so that we are up and running in time for next season.”
Crisford, 52, began his career as a journalist with the Racing Post before he was recruited as assistant racing manager to Godolphin in the early nineties.
Meanwhile, British bookmakers Coral reacted to the news of Crisford taking out a trainer’s licence and are offering odds of 3-1 for him to train a winner at the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival.
“Simon Crisford witnessed much success at the Dubai Carnival and at the top level of UK racing in his previous role with Godolphin, and although he will be sending out his own runners in future, he could enjoy the support of some high-profile owners and it would be no great surprise to see him enjoy further success wearing this new hat of trainer,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
