START WITH HORSERACING Harrington takes the reins as BHA boss
PHOENIX THOROUGHBREDS, who enjoyed high-profile success with Royal Ascot winner Advertise, have ceased operating in Britain and are unlikely to rise from the ashes.
Amer Abdulaziz Salman, the founder of the organisation that first had horses in training in Britain three years ago, had hoped his operation would become a leading player world-wide.
Before problems hit the company, 11 trainers were handling 41 horses racing under the Phoenix banner in Britain.
Their investment is a loss to British racing at a time when the industry is feeling the financial effects from the coronavirus.
Abdulaziz, 56, said: “It is with a heavy heart that Phoenix Thoroughbreds will no longer have our racing operations in the UK.
“We have very much enjoyed working with our excellent partners in that market and seeing our colours race at Ascot, Newmarket and further afield has been a dream come true for myself and everyone here at Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
“We have invested large amounts into the industry in the UK helping to employ hundreds of staff both directly and indirectly
“This has not been a decision we have taken lightly.
“However, for the growth and wellbeing of our business and our partners internationally, we have taken the decision to leave the UK for the foreseeable future.”
John Quinn, Karl Burke and Peter Chapple-hyam are among the trainers that have saddled runners for the company. Quinn trained Signora Cabello to win the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot two years ago.
Martyn Meade, who won the Commonwealth Cup with Advertise at Royal Ascot last season for the company, cut his ties with Abdulaziz earlier this year when problems first surfaced.
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JULIE HARRINGTON is to succeed Nick Rust as chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority.
Harrington, right, head of British Cycling, will work alongside BHA chair Annamarie Phelps.
Harrington, who was a BHA board member between 2014 and 2019, had been managing director at Uttoxeter and operations director at the Northern Racing group. The 51-year-old will join the BHA in January and will have a full in tray.
The current hot debate is prize money and media right payments that racecourses receive.