Phoenix Thoroughbreds Barred From Racing in UK

Effective Monday, Sept. 7, Phoenix Thoroughbreds cannot have runners in races in Great Britain until further notice, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday. Phoenix had earlier in August made the decision to leave UK racing and was reportedly banned from racing in France a few days later. Any horse currently entered will not be permitted to be declared in its current ownership. All racing administration accounts of all registered ownership entities that involve Phoenix Thoroughbreds have been suspended. The BHA is in regular correspondence with Phoenix Thoroughbreds, and after reviewing the information available to date, the BHA decided on the suspension of Phoenix entries.

Last November, Phoenix principal Amer Abdulaziz was named in a U.S. federal court trial as being involved in a money-laundering operation. Abdulaziz was also alleged to have stolen money from sham cryptocurrency OneCoin. Phoenix’s U.S. Head of Operations Tom Ludt left the company in August.

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Trio of Southwell Fixtures Moved

Southwell, which has suspended jumps racing, will have its next three fixtures transferred to other tracks, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Tuesday. The Sept. 15 card has moved to Hexam, while the Oct. 1 card will instead be held at Ffos Las. Lingfield hosts the Oct. 22 fixture. The three cards will all consist of seven races apiece and be similar to those originally programmed. For more information, go to www.racingadmin.co.uk.

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Ben Curtis banned 14 Days After Breaching COVID-19 Protocols

Jockey Ben Curtis was escorted from Newmarket Friday and will be sidelined for 14 days after breaching COVID-19 protocols. The all-weather champion for the 2019/20 campaign, he currently is fourth in the Flat jockeys’ championship standings.

A British Horseracing Authority spokesperson said Friday, “He will not be permitted to enter a racecourse for 14 days from today as per the published COVID-19 requirements whilst the matter is investigated further.”

Trainer Gary Moore was fined £750 earlier this month after breaching protocols at Goodwood, while Mark Gillard and his assistant Steven Hosie were each handed six-week bans Friday after they were found to have violated the COVID-19 rules at Newbury Aug. 15. They will be unable to attend a racecourse through Sept. 26.

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British Racing Agrees On Recovery Plan

Representatives of the British Horseracing Authority, horsemen and racecourses have agreed on a plan for the next stages of the industry’s recovery plan from COVID-19.

The recovery plan lists nine industry goals, which are as follows:

  • To secure a full resumption of race-day activity, with the best possible ownership and spectator experience, and the maximum attendance possible;
  • To maintain the health and safety of participants, staff and all those attending raceday meetings by continuing the safe return of racing and adherence to strict controls on social distancing;
  • To put in place a fixture list and race programme for 2021 that balances increasing revenues with the well being of participants and staff and takes account of the horse population;
  • To reduce the industry’s cost-base and be agile where new opportunities to increase revenue can be seized and mitigate the impact of recession, including the pursuit of immediate Levy reform;
  • To seek to maximise prize money for 2021 balanced against the financial constraints of stakeholders and the sport’s projected revenues, through new commercial agreements between racecourses and horsemen;
  • To agree a spending plan for central funds that best supports racing’s recovery;
  • To retain key investors, including existing owners, and reform rules for syndicates and clubs to protect members and increase their appeal to potential owners;
  • To present a safe, high-quality and consistent offer to race-day and betting customers based on a thorough understanding of their changing needs and behaviours due to COVID;
  • To put in place foundations for a longer-term sustainable recovery for British racing.

Click here for the full recovery plan.

Nick Rust, chief executive of the BHA, said, “it’s very important that this plan has been agreed by leaders from all parts of the racing industry. We know from the way we prepared to resume racing in June that working together works. The commitment shown by leaders in signing up to this recovery plan demonstrates a continued willingness to maintain a unified approach through the tough battles ahead.”

David Armstrong, chief executive of the Racecourse Association, added, “the whole industry worked very well to enable racing to return as the first major sport behind closed doors. Now we have to renew that collaboration as we enter this recovery phase and move beyond that into 2021. This plan brings together all the necessary components in one clear action plan with some ambitious goals. From a racecourse perspective the return of racegoers and the experience for owners are clear priorities that are already underway and we look forward to the wider recovery of the sport.”

Charlie Liverton, chief executive of the Racehorse Owners Association, said, “this new recovery plan goes further towards protecting the long-term future of our sport and formalizing collaboration between the stakeholders during this difficult period. It is imperative that we focus on the vital drivers that keep our sport going and growing: retaining owners and maximizing the sport’s revenues. There is a lot to be done but I am confident that, working together, we can deliver this vital work for participants across the industry.”

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