A day after the British Horseracing Authority announced that Phoenix Thoroughbreds had been barred from having runners in the UK, Phoenix released a statement on the matter. It read, “Following Phoenix Thoroughbred's recent decision to leave UK racing, the British Horseracing Authority have confirmed that there will be a temporary suspension on our runners in the UK whilst a review of our operations are conducted. We are in direct contact with the BHA and are working with them very closely during this review period and see it as a chance to offer transparency after recent damaging media speculation in the UK. Phoenix Thoroughbreds have been proactively communicating with the BHA over their intention to place a temporary stop on our accounts and the governing body have been very supportive during this process. We would like to make it clear again there have been no charges levelled against Phoenix or its CEO Amer Abdulaziz and this suspension comes merely in the interest of the current review.”
As referenced in the statement, Phoenix announced last month that it would cease its operations in the UK on account of “unfair treatment from an industry media outlet.” Phoenix was reportedly barred from running horses in France just days later, a fact that has yet to be confirmed by France Galop. Phoenix Thoroughbreds and its Chief Executive Officer and Founder Amer Abdulaziz Salman have been embroiled in controversy since last November when Abdulaziz Salman was named in a United States federal court trial as being part of a money-laundering operation. He was also accused of stealing €100-million from a sham cryptocurrency he reportedly helped to run.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
