Ed Crisford to replace Costa as Sheikh Ahmed’s Dubai trainer

Englishman Ed Crisford will take up a new role in Dubai later this year after being appointed private trainer to Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the position commencing in August at Jebel Ali Stables.

The move follows the departure of Michael Costa, who leaves the role after four years of success with Sheikh Ahmed’s ARM Racing operation and is set to re-establish his training base on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Crisford has trained in partnership with his father Simon since 2020, operating from Newmarket where the pair were early adopters of the dual-licence model. The partnership has produced 84 stakes winners and enjoyed success at the highest level both domestically and internationally.

His appointment comes after building extensive experience in the UAE through multiple Dubai Carnival campaigns, including a standout most recent season that yielded 17 winners and more than 21 million dirhams in prizemoney. That campaign was highlighted by victory in the Dubai Gold Cup and placings in several major races on Dubai World Cup night.

Crisford’s background includes time at the Irish National Stud, a stint with Eoin Harty in the United States and four years with John Gosden before forming the training partnership with his father.