RACING boss Joe Saumarez Smith admitted ‘my lifespan is limited’ as he stood down from his top role at the British Horseracing Authority with immediate effect.
The chair of racing’s governing body said his cancer had sadly spread to his brain.
GettyKing Charles, Queen Camilla and Joe Saumarez Smith, the Chair of the BHA who has announced his immediate resignation after being told his cancer had spread[/caption]
Saumarez Smith has been diagnosed with leptomeningeal metastases – a ‘rare’ cancer that spreads to the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
The 53-year-old dad of two was told he had lung cancer in 2023.
He said in a statement: “I am very disappointed to step down as Chair of the BHA board but now the cancer has spread to my brain and I have been told that my lifespan is pretty limited, I feel it would be very unfair on horseracing if I did not hand over the reins immediately.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed both being on the BHA board for over a decade and being Chair for nearly three years.
“It has been an immense privilege to have such a senior role in a sport I have loved since the age of eight.
“I did not want to stay on and make decisions that were potentially open to later challenge if questions were raised about whether the cancer had impaired my abilities.
“David Jones will do an excellent job in the interim and I think Lord Charles Allen will do a fantastic job with his highly impressive track record and enthusiasm for the sport.”
Acting Chief Executive of the BHA Brant Dunshea said: “It is a great sorrow to all of us that Joe has had to step down so suddenly because of his ill health.
“He has been an outstanding Chair and Board member of the BHA for more than a decade.
“But more than that, he has been a passionate, dedicated and powerful ambassador for the sport and British Racing owes him a huge debt.
“Having worked with Joe for more than a decade his wise counsel, personal support, and pure love of the sport will be deeply missed.”
Key figures in racing were quick to send their well wishes at a horrible time.
Former Jockey Club CEO Nevin Truesdale was among them, writing: “Incredibly sad news which puts everything into perspective.
“His approach to this from the start is an inspiration to all of us.”
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