A man has been arrested in connection to death threats made against Group One winning Flat racehorse Conduit.
Conduit, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf and St Leger last year, was allegedly the subject of text message and email threats from a blackmailer.
Peter Reynolds, general manager of Ballymacoll Stud, who own Conduit, is said to have received messages threatening to kill the horse if it ran in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July..
“I can confirm that a threat was made to me and the matter was placed in the hands of the police,” he told the Guardian newspaper.
The four-year-old son of Dalakhani won the race ridden by Ryan Moore.
Mr Reynolds contacted the police, and the horse’s trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, worked with integrity department of British Horseracing Authority to ensure the safety of the racehorse.
Conduit was given extra security on his journey to Ascot and while he was stabled at the course.
Andrew Rodgerson, 26, was arrested and charged with blackmail and is due to appear in Bolton Crown Court on 1 Decembe.
“This charge relates to an incident in which a racehorse owner received threats before a race at the end of July,” said a spokesman for Greater Manchester police.
