The BHA broke the news in a statement saying, “It is with great sadness that the British Horseracing Authority can today confirm the death of our former Chair and friend Joe Saumarez Smith.
The BHA said: “As BHA Chair, Joe steered a complex industry through a challenging restructure of its entire operating system, creating a new governance model to deliver a more sustainable and dynamic economic future.
Paying tribute, 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.
“While undergoing debilitating treatment he continued to be ever present on British racecourses and undertook a gruelling period of international travel to promote the sport overseas, ensuring that British horseracing remains one of Britain’s greatest avenues for inward investment while also acting as one of the Government’s most-effective soft power levers.”.
Ex-BHA chief dies 12 days after stepping away from role after health worsened The former chair of the British Horseracing Authority has died 12 days after stepping away from the role.
