British Horseracing Authority bans Phoenix Thoroughbreds over allegations of money laundering

Phoenix Thoroughbreds, the global racing operation founded and run by Amer Abdulaziz Salman, has been banned by the British Horseracing Authority in the wake of money-laundering allegations involving a fund run by Salman.

In a statement, the BHA said that the stable’s runners will be banned “until further notice,” and that all accounts associated with the stable have been “suspended.” Phoenix Thoroughbreds, which has operations in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and the U.S., runs a number of horses in partnership with other racing entities.

‘Whilst the BHA can confirm that they are in regular correspondence with Phoenix Thoroughbreds, having reviewed the information available to date, the BHA has taken the decision to suspend the relevant accounts, meaning Phoenix Thoroughbreds are unable to make entries until further notice,” the BHA statement read. The ban was made effective on Sept. 7.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Although Phoenix Thoroughbreds stated one month ago that it intended to exit British racing, the stable ran a winner as recently as Sept. 6 at York Racecourse.

Phoenix Thoroughbreds has already been banned in France, but the stable continues to operate in many other countries. In the U.S., the stable won with Confessing on Thursday at Kentucky Downs.

The stable has been embroiled in controversy since an attorney last year provided testimony in a U.S. criminal case that he had laundered funds through an investment vehicle run by Salman, also called Phoenix. Salman has denied any knowledge of the scheme, which revolved around a cryptocurrency known as OneCoin. Prosecutors alleged that the scheme defrauded investors out of as much as $4 billion.