Simon and Ed Crisford

Smart juvenile Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who races for KHK Racing, Ltd. is likely to make his 3-year-old debut in the G2 Sandy Lane S. in May, according to co-trainer Simon Crisford. A multiple Group 1 winner in 2023, the colt won the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. in August and September, respectively. "He's looking super, he's trotting and we'll probably start him off in the Sandy Lane at Haydock at the end of May," Simon Crisford told ITV Racing. "One run before Royal Ascot. "Commonwealth,...

After what his connections described in a tweet on X as 'works not showing the same sparkle' as in years prior, the 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) has been retired from racing. A multiple Group winner in Meydan in addition to his second-place finish to multiple Group 1 winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), he'd last been seen in Canada on Oct. 7, missing victory in Woodbine's GIII Durham Cup S. by half-a-length. A horse for Dubai's dirt courses, his first Group triumph came in 2022...

Abdulla Al Mansoori's West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a multiple group winner, has been withdrawn from the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase after sustaining an injury to his left foreleg, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Saturday. Successful in the 2022 G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange and 2023 G3 La Coupe, the 4-year-old gelding is trained by Ed and Simon Crisford. Also placed in Sandown's G1 Eclipse, West Wind Blows has had a fruitful campaign Down Under this season, running second in both the G1 Turnbull S. this...

G1 Dubai World Cup second Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) will miss an intended start in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with a foot issues, according to trainers Simon and Ed Crisford. The 6-year-old sustained bruising on his right front leg. "Unfortunately Algiers won't be able to run in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile," the Crisfords' Gainsborough Thoroughbreds tweeted on X (formerly Twitter). "He is going to have to miss a few days training due to a minor foot issue. He will now be prepared for a winter in Dubai." The...

Dual Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) will not run in the G1 Dewhurst S. and instead be prepared for a 3-year-old sprinting campaign, according to Chris Wall, racing manager for KHK Racing. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, the grey colt is undefeated in four six-furlong starts, beginning at Nottingham in July, followed by the G2 Richmond S., G1 Prix Morny and Saturday's G1 Middle Park S. in the yellow-and-black-striped colours of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa's KHK Racing. Royal Ascot's G1 Commonwealth Cup S. is...

Shortly after Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) stormed to G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. success at Newmarket on Saturday, it was another group victory for the training duo of Simon and Ed Crisford, as Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) pounced in the G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein over 1600 metres at ParisLongchamp. In midpack from the jump as G3 Sovereign S. winner Embesto (GB) (Roaring Lion) chaired the vanguard up front with Colombier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the 4-year-old gelding waited patiently for his call up, and, with 1 1/2...

Ruthlessly efficient and utterly dominant in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. at Newmarket, KHK Racing's sprinter supreme Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}--Mosa Mine {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}) sealed his elevated status by becoming the sixth G1 Prix Morny winner to double up here since 2012. Sent off the heavily-supported 5-4 favourite to add to his tally which as well as the Deauville highlight also includes the G2 Richmond S., the Simon and Ed Crisford trainee was over-enthusiastic in the early stages as James Doyle struggled to contain...

All who witnessed the Doncaster debut success of Carla's Way (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}--Sulaalaat {GB}, by New Approach {Ire})) already knew that she was a talented performer, but Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa's imposing chestnut had to show it where it matters and she duly delivered in Friday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel S. at Newmarket. Gifted an ideal lead, a strong pace and fast conditions in this seven-furlong "Win and You're In" for the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, the Crisfords' 7-2 shot was not for catching once James...

Sunday's G1 Sumbe Prix Morny looked a deep one beforehand and it didn't disappoint as KHK Racing's Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}--Mosa Mine {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}) reeled in Infinity Nine Horses' TDN Rising Star Ramatuelle (Justify) close home for the bragging rights at Deauville. As he had on his winning debut at Nottingham and the G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained 625,000gns Tatts Craven Breeze Up joint-topper travelled easily throughout with Andrea Atzeni notably still. Allowing the G3 Prix du Bois and G2...

Impressing with his debut success over six furlongs at Nottingham last month, KHK Racing Ltd's Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}--Mosa Mine {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}) stamped his class on Thursday's G2 Markel Richmond S. at Goodwood. As the 625,000gns joint-topper at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained relative of Anabaa and Key Of Luck travelled ominously well following the pace before taking command with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. Soon clear under Andrea Atzeni, the 11-8 favourite had a length to spare over Ballymount Boy...

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal), the winner of the first two rounds of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1/R2 this season, will be aimed at the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup at the end of March and bypass a shot at the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup on Feb. 25. "He won Round 2 very well and the step up in trip on the dirt was no problem, so it's all systems go for the World Cup," said trainer Ed Crisford, who trains with his father, Simon. "We took him out of the...

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) became just the fifth horse in history to win the first two rounds of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge in the same year. Stepping up to 1900 metres for this first time in this $350,000 main track event sponsored by Emaar, the chestnut was forced to cover extra ground when leaving from stall eight. Unable to save any real estate on the clubhouse turn, he avoided the kickback generated by pacesetters Secret Victory (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) along the fence and Bendoog (Gun Runner), to that foe's outside....