Simon Crisford and son Ed set to break new ground with joint trainers' licence

Simon Crisford and his son Ed are set to become Britain's first officially licensed training partnership, with the pair expected to have their initial runners once racing resumes in Britain.

The groundbreaking move comes following confirmation the BHA will now accept joint trainers' licence applications, mirroring the initiative successfully introduced some years ago in Australia.

The prospect of two separate individuals combining to share a licence had been mooted last October, with the BHA receiving positive feedback on the initiative during consultation with the National Trainers Federation and other stakeholders.

Like the Crisfords, Paul Cole and son Oliver are also going to join forces in Britain, while training partnerships were responsible for 19 of the 64 entries for last year’s Melbourne Cup.

Warmly welcoming the new venture, Simon Crisford said: "Ed and I have become joint licence holders as well as business partners, something my owners have very much welcomed and are fully supportive of.

"As well as Gainsborough Stables in Newmarket, we have a winter carnival stable in Dubai and therefore this move makes perfect sense for us."

Simon Crisford and son Ed in discussions with Andrea Atzeni and Silvestre de Sousa

He added: "Hopefully it will benefit the business and help consolidate our structure. It's especially right for Ed at this time of his career as he is forward thinking and will bring plenty of fresh ideas to the table.

"I also think joint licensing will be a huge help to many other trainers in the future as they will be able to pool their resources together during challenging times."

With the stable set to have entries for racing's intended resumption on June 1 at Newcastle, next Tuesday's entries stage will feature potential runners from joint trainers for the first time in the history of the sport in Britain.

Simon Crisford with multiple Group 2-winning sprinter A'Ali after landing last year's Norfolk Stakes at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ed Crisford, 30, previously worked as an assistant trainer to John Gosden, along with a variety of roles in the industry, and is relishing the chance to officially begin the partnership.

"Joint licensing has been proven to work extremely well in Australia," he said.

"One of my great friends David Eustace is a training partner with Ciaron Maher, and he’s explained that joint responsibility and accountability has really improved their business model in so many different ways.

"I'm very much looking forward to the new challenge."

Simon Crisford, who continued his series of healthy strike rates by sending out 52 winners from 263 runners (20 per cent) in Britain during 2019, believes his son has earned the opportunity to have his name on the training licence.

"Ed has always been a fantastic asset within the stable and he's a very hard working knowledgeable assistant who is more than ready to take further responsibilities," he added.

"He's very deserving of this new position and we've always worked very well together. Now is the right time for him to take the next step."

Ed Crisford added: "Nothing is really going to change with joint licensing in the way that we have always operated since dad started training and we are very fortunate to have a strong team of people behind us who all contribute hugely to the wellbeing of the business."

Read more:

Family ties: Paul and Oliver Cole to join forces when racing returns

New races unveiled as Royal Ascot broadens programme for prestigious fixture

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