Crisford Employee Fined At Windsor

Crisford Employee Fined At Windsor

One of Simon Crisford's close members of staff were fined £200 on Sunday afternoon, after he was spotted kicking Mofaaji in the groin area at Windsor.

The incident occurred before the three-year-old's debut in the six furlong novice event at 2:45, in which he eventually finished third to Pam Sly's Drummond Warrior.

Sent off the even-money favourite, an inquiry was held after the race by the on-course equine welfare officer, who flagged up the problem as the colt was leaving the pre-race stables.

The groom was later found guilty of acting in an aggressive manner towards the debutant, and Crisford - not at the Berkshire course, was left disappointed when informed at the sequence of events.

(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "One of my travelling head men, who has more than 40 years' experience in racing, was in attendance, dealing with a very difficult situation.

"The stables had been moved around and Mofaaji ended up in a barn opposite a filly which made him extremely colty. He was never focused on the race as he had his mind on other things and was being dangerous.

"The horse has been a handful and had been very coltish all day. He had repeatedly been climbing all over the groom who was leading him up.

"He [the travelling head man] acted in a very inappropriate manner as he attempted to flick the end of the horse's penis with his foot in an attempt to get him to draw it back in.

"He should have used a more appropriate method, such as a bucket of water. It is not defensible, the stewards have fined him and I will discipline him accordingly."

On the track, Crisford has been celebrating with six winners in the past two weeks - including A'Ali's success in the Norfolk Stakes - the race that kicked off Frankie's memorable four-timer.

He has a number of decent entries over the next month, with Al Raya heading to Sandown for the Listed Dragon Stakes this Friday.

Make A Wish and El Gumryah will also be heading to Esher for various handicap engagements on Eclipse Day, whilst the Newmarket-based trainer will be hoping Jash can bounce back from his Commonwealth Cup disappointment in the Qatar Lennox Stakes later in the month.

Also heading to Glorious Goodwood is last year's Ascot hero for the yard Ostilio - who remains in tact for the Sussex Stakes, whilst A'Ali could be seen in the Nunthorpe at York next, but more likely the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over in Ireland.