Simon and Ed Crisford

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....

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Insights features a son of G1SW Marylebone. 12.50 Kempton, Nov, £11,000, 2yo, 8f 1y (AWT) Michael Tabor's WIGMORE STREET (American Pharoah) is an unraced half to two black-type performers out of GI Matron S. heroine Marylebone (Unbridled's Song) and gets a third attempt to start out for the...

Waterville (Ire), the main attraction on day one of the Autumn horses-in-training sale at Tattersalls, did not disappoint by topping the session at 410,000gns to join Chris Waller in Australia.  Guy Mulcaster, who also bought the 84-rated Postwick (GB) (Postponed {Ire}) from Barton Sales for 130,000gns to join Waller, secured Coolmore's Irish Cesarewitch winner.  Described by his trainer Aidan O'Brien at the beginning of the season as a lively each-way contender for the Derby, Waterville [lot 275] never made it to Epsom but went some way to justifying that high...

Bringing TDN Rising Star status into Saturday's G3 Virgin Bet Horris Hill S. at Newbury, KHK Racing's Knight (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}--Fidaaha {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) emerged from an intriguing renewal of the seven-furlong staging post with reputation enhanced as he proved top dog among the Classic hopefuls. Tackling testing ground having operated with style on good-to-soft on his impressive debut at Yarmouth Sept. 25, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained full-brother to the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and G3 Prix Imprudence winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and...

KHK Racing's stellar September continued on Sunday as the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Knight (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}--Fidaaha {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) stormed to success at Yarmouth to become the latest of the TDN Rising Star juveniles of 2022. Always travelling strongly in second for Cameron Noble after a tardy break in this seven-furlong Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 "Newcomers" Maiden S., the 11-2 shot took command three out and was busy surging clear a furlong later. Chased by the €370,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate Irregular Warfare (Fr) (Saxon Warrior...

Coming back off an extended sabbatical, 2020's G1 Criterium International third Jadoomi (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}--South Sister {GB}, by Sakhee) registered a stakes breakthrough in last month's Listed Prix du Pays d'Auge at Clairefontaine when turning up for just his second outing in almost two years and continued on a rapid upward trajectory with victory in Saturday's G2 William Hill Celebration Mile at Goodwood. The 10-3 chance recovered from an early stumble and shadowed the pace in second for the most part. Scrubbed along to reduce arrears approaching the...