Deva Racing barred from entering horses

Syndicate Deva Racing has been prevented by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) from running horses in Britain following allegations of financial irregularities.

It is alleged that Director Ryan Tongue failed to distribute prize-money to syndicate members, oversold shares in horses, including flagbearer Imperial Emperor, and not paid training fees.

ROA Chief Executive Louise Norman commented:

“The allegations raised around Deva Racing are extremely concerning to us. The ROA is in contact with the relevant industry bodies, including the BHA, and has been actively supporting affected owners.

“Entering into shared racehorse ownership should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, built on trust, transparency and confidence. The industry has made progress in this area with the introduction of syndicate manager licences. However, it is apparent that more robust protections are required, and we will continue to work collaboratively to explore how this can be achieved.

“The overwhelming majority of syndicate operators across Britain deliver an excellent service, acting with professionalism and integrity on behalf of their members. It is important that the actions of one organisation should not detract from the positive ownership experiences enjoyed by thousands of owners throughout the sport.

“The ROA will continue to work with the BHA and industry partners to ensure owners' interests remain at the heart of British racing and that anyone affected receives the support they need."

If you need help from the ROA, please contact us on [email protected]

In a statement, the BHA confirmed it has placed a stop on entries and declarations for horses trained in Britain under the Deva Racing Syndicate. The regulator has invited any concerned syndicate members to contact [email protected] and said it would make no further comment at this stage.