Simon Crisford
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Simon pictured on Newmarket Heath during a busy work morning
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Simon with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed
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At the races with Godolphin's jockey Frankie Dettori
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Name: Simon Crisford
Job Title: Racing Manager
As racing manager since Godolphin’s inception, Simon Crisford has played a key role in the stable’s remarkable development and success. In addition to working as racing manager, he also carries out duties similar to those of any chief executive of a major company – he ensures the smooth running of the entire Godolphin operation.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is the driving force behind Godolphin and sets the overall vision for the stable. It is Simon Crisford’s job to see that these plans are implemented and to offer advice and recommendations when required.
Managing the stable can be a complex task, given that Godolphin could have horses being prepared for big races on several continents at the same time. It involves regular liaison not only with HH Sheikh Mohammed but with trainer Saeed bin Suroor, stable jockey Frankie Dettori, work riders, and other senior members of staff.
Possible acquisitions by Godolphin fall under Simon Crisford’s scrutiny and he is responsible for the management of each horse’s career from the moment it joins us until it leaves the stable. He watches the horses train every day, and, when not at the races, is usually on hand to check on the horses in the afternoons as well. Any problems are discussed with vets and other expert members of the team.
Apart from his many duties within the stable, he likes to be present whenever there is a Godolphin runner, and he is often the public face of the stable, discussing our contenders in TV interviews before and after races. He regularly updates the media with the latest news about the horses, either personally or through the Godolphin website.
Godolphin’s racing manager can draw on extensive knowledge and wide experience of the racing, bloodstock and media worlds acquired earlier in his career.
Simon Crisford worked for top British trainers John Dunlop and Sir Mark Prescott and gained bloodstock experience at Lavington Stud in England and Haras de la Louviere in France.
He was appointed the Racing Post’s first Newmarket correspondent when the British daily racing newspaper launched in 1986. That job required an expert eye and excellent grasp of the form book as well as good contacts. It involved many early mornings spent watching horses work on the famous gallops at Newmarket.
HH Sheikh Mohammed offered him a senior position in the Darley racing office in Newmarket in 1989. Three years later, at the age of just 30, he was asked to help establish the fledgling stable at Al Quoz in Dubai. It was the start of what proved to be a remarkable journey for everyone associated with what became known as Godolphin.