Former chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Joe Saumarez Smith has died aged 53.
Saumarez Smith stepped down from his function on the finish of January as a result of a deterioration in his well being after a analysis of leptomeningeal metastases.
He grew to become chair in June 2022 having beforehand been on the board since 2014.
Paying tribute to his colleague and pal, BHA appearing chief government Brant Dunshea stated: “It has been an awesome privilege to have recognized and labored with Joe, at all times offering sensible counsel and great assist to the BHA staff and to me personally, and for that we are going to be endlessly grateful.
“His dedication to advocating Britain’s pursuits on the worldwide stage was unwavering, and for that British racing owes him an enormous debt of gratitude. We’ll miss him terribly.”
David Jones, the BHA’s senior unbiased director, is appearing interim chair till Lord Charles Allen takes over the function on a everlasting foundation on June 1.
Jones stated: “Joe’s enthusiasm for the game shone by means of in every thing he did. He had such a deep data of all elements of the business and I and different board colleagues will actually miss his perception.”
In an announcement on Tuesday, the BHA described Saumarez Smith as “a devoted supporter of the game, combining that drive with nice diplomatic expertise to advertise racing at house and overseas.”
It added: “Joe was one of the vital influential and distinguished figures in British racing. Alongside his senior roles, he was a worldwide ambassador for the game in areas important to the game’s abroad pursuits, affect and stature.
“Joe’s drive and dedication to racing up to now two years is much more outstanding when set towards his analysis of stage 4 inoperable lung most cancers.
“Whereas present process debilitating remedy he continued to be ever current on British racecourses and undertook a gruelling interval of worldwide journey to advertise the game abroad, making certain that British horseracing stays one in every of Britain’s best avenues for inward funding whereas additionally appearing as one of many Authorities’s most-effective gentle energy levers.”
Racing broadcaster Oli Bell paid tribute to Saumarez Smith on X, posting: “Joe was a correct gentleman. Type, considerate, clever and a really nice pal to many. I, together with numerous others, will miss him enormously. Ideas together with his spouse Wanda and his expensive kids Matilda and Oliver. Sending them prayers and love.”
