BHA chairman Joe Saumarez Smith, 51, reveals devastating lung cancer diagnosis
BRITISH Horseracing Authority chairman Joe Saumarez Smith has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
A BHA statement confirmed the racing supremo, 51, will begin treatment later this month.
He will continue in his role ‘for as long as he is happy to do so’.
Saumarez Smith said: “In the interest of transparency and openness from the BHA, we thought it was best to confirm this news publicly.
“It is obviously not ideal to have this diagnosis but I am confident I can keep working with all our stakeholders to deliver the strategic priorities that were agreed last September.”
Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the BHA, said: “While we are of course concerned for our friend and colleague, we know Joe will fight this illness with all the determination and resilience that has been a feature of his career to date.
“It is testament to him that he is keen to continue in his role for as long as the treatment allows.
“He has the full support and best wishes of everyone on the BHA Board in doing so.
“I am sure I can speak for everyone at the BHA and across the industry in wishing him good luck during his treatment.”
Saumarez Smith has a long history at racing’s governing body, having been appointed non-executive director in December 2014.
In March last year he took over from Annamarie Phelps as chair.
And in December last year it was announced his term had been extended until 2025 after consultation with the sport’s shareholders.
Saumarez Smith hopes to still attend meetings over the coming months as he begins his battle with cancer.
Other senior BHA board members will step in for Saumarez Smith if he is unable to make industry events.
A businessman who dabbled in journalism, Saumarez Smith is also chief executive of Sports Gaming Ltd and chairman of gambling platform developer Bede Gaming.
It was in betting he found his true calling though.
He was 12 when he first visited Sandown Park and soon turned his love for the sport into a big money-making machine.
Saumarez Smith has shares in a number of horses trained by Martin Keighley and has previously had runners with other top trainers including David Pipe and Ed Walker.