Industry mourns as Joe Saumarez Smith passes away aged 53
British Horseracing Authority confirms the death of its former chair following his terminal cancer diagnosis, as tributes flood in from those connected with racing and gambling
Former British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chair Joe Saumarez Smith has passed away at the age of 53, the sport’s governing body has confirmed.
Saumarez Smith stepped down as chair at the end of January due to his health worsening, and died at his home surrounded by his family, the BHA added.
He was first diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2023, yet he vowed to remain the BHA’s chair despite his illness.
Saumarez Smith was named BHA chair in June 2022 when he replaced Annamarie Phelps. He had served on the board since 2014.
Last November, his replacement, Lord Allen of Kensington, was confirmed. The former ITV CEO is due to assume the role in the summer.
When Saumarez Smith stepped away last month, the BHA named senior independent director David Jones as interim chair.
A fierce defender of the racing industry, Saumarez Smith will be remembered as one of the most “influential and distinguished figures” in the sector, the BHA said.
The BHA continued: “Throughout a long and distinguished career in racing, Joe was a passionate and dedicated supporter of the sport, combining that drive with great diplomatic skills to promote racing at home and abroad.
“Joe’s drive and commitment to racing in the past two years is even more remarkable when set against his diagnosis of stage four inoperable lung cancer.
“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.”
Having progressed through the Jockey Club Graduate Programme in 1991, Saumarez Smith went on to become a leading voice in horseracing media.
He wrote for the likes of the Racing Post, FT, The Times and The Telegraph and his involvement in the gambling industry extended to chairmanship with Bede Gaming.
Prior to being named BHA chair, he also served as the chair for British racing’s Gambling Strategy Group and played key roles around the sport’s relationship with gambling and the horserace betting levy.
Brant Dunshea, BHA acting CEO, 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.”
Interim BHA chair Jones described Saumarez Smith as “not just a personal friend to many of us but a great friend of racing”.
He added: “Joe’s enthusiasm for the sport shone through in everything he did. He had such a deep knowledge of all aspects of the industry and I and other board colleagues will really miss his insight.”
The Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the Racecourse Association, the Horseracing Bettors Forum and several racecourses have all paid tribute to Saumarez Smith on social media.
The BHA said further details on Saumarez Smith’s memorial arrangements would be made in due course.