RACING is mourning the loss of one of its biggest figures after the death of Joe Saumarez Smith aged 53. The former British Horseracing Authority Chair sadly passed away just days after stepping down from his role. He was diagnosed with cancer in June 2023 and died at home surrounded by his family. It was confirmed last month that Saumarez Smith was suffering from a 'rare' cancer that had spread to his brain.
![[King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Joe Saumarez Smith at the Epsom Derby.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/embargoed-publication-uk-newspapers-24-967873635.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Paying tribute to his colleague and friend, BHA acting chief executive Brant Dunshea said: "It has been a great privilege to have known and worked with Joe, always providing wise counsel and tremendous support to the BHA team and to me personally, and for that we will be forever grateful. "His commitment to advocating Britain’s interests on the global stage was unwavering, and for that British racing owes him a huge debt of gratitude. We will miss him terribly.".
