Tributes paid as Horserace Betting Levy Board chair Paul Darling passes away
Tributes flood in for former Association of British Bookmakers chair after the HBLB confirmed his “sudden” passing on Sunday
Paul Darling, chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), has passed away at the age of 64.
The HBLB confirmed the “sudden death” of Darling on Sunday 4 August as the racing body said his passing would “leave a gap in the lives of everyone at the Levy Board”.
A prominent figure within British horseracing, Darling became a member of the Levy Board in 2008 and held that title until 2014.
It was this, alongside his previous membership with the Tote Board and his time as chair of the Association of British Bookmakers and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority that inspired his 2015 OBE for services to safety at sports grounds and to horseracing.
Darling’s reign as chair of the Levy Board started in April 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. He helped guide the organisation through one of the most challenging periods the sport has ever seen.
A HBLB statement read: “We will miss him deeply but will remember his love of racing and all that he did for the Levy Board and for the sport over many years. Our thoughts are with his family and in particular his wife Camilla.”
Tributes have also been paid to Darling by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith declared: “British racing is today mourning the sudden and devastating loss of a friend, colleague and an enormously important figure in our industry.
“Paul cared deeply about protecting the sport, and his desire to see horseracing flourish was evident in everything he did. His sharp intellect, powerful advocacy and wise counsel have been of immense benefit to me and to a great many others over the years.
“Our thoughts are very much with Paul’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time. His absence will be keenly felt and we will all miss him a great deal.”
It was a sentiment echoed by BHA CEO Julie Harrington, who added: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Paul Darling.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone across British racing will be with Paul’s family and friends as they try to come to terms with this desperately tragic news.
“I had the privilege of serving under Paul’s chairmanship as a member of the Levy Board. He was a steadfast advocate for our sport, and this is a devastating blow for everyone who knew and worked with him.
“We owe Paul a huge debt of gratitude – and on a personal note, I will certainly miss his wit and wisdom.”
Betting and Gaming Council chair Michael Dugher also issued a glowing tribute on social media, taking to X to write: “I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Paul Darling. Such an incredibly clever person, but always such great company and great fun. I will remember with much fondness a warm, wise old bear of a man. He made you think and he made you smile.
“A formidable and distinguished lawyer, a powerful and progressive force for British horseracing, and a very dear friend to many of us in the betting industry. My thoughts and prayers are with his many friends and loved ones at this terribly sad time.”
The Jockey Club added that Darling was a “great friend and support to racing at all levels of the sport”.
Outside of horseracing, Darling was a respected, successful construction and commercial barrister as well as a King’s Counsel.
He was head of Keating Chambers from 2010 to 2015, during which time he guided the technology and construction bar through a restructuring of its specialist court.