Joe Saumarez Smith was BHA chair from June 2022 until January this year, stepping down due to a deterioration in his health after a diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases; BHA acting chief executive Brant Dunshea: “We will miss him terribly”
Tuesday 11 February 2025 16:11, UK
Former chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Joe Saumarez Smith has died aged 53.
Saumarez Smith stepped down from his role at the end of January due to a deterioration in his health after a diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases.
He became chair in June 2022 having previously been on the board since 2014.
Paying tribute to his colleague and friend, 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.
“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.”
David Jones, the BHA’s senior independent director, is acting interim chair until Lord Charles Allen takes over the role on a permanent basis on June 1.
Jones said: “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.”
