Racing: Sheikhs give blessing to plan

Sheikh Mohammed and Hamdan Al Maktoum have given their support to the British Horseracing Board's newly unveiled financial plan and urged the BHB to put it to the Government "as soon as possible".

But Sheikh Mohammed repeated his threat that he and his family will pull their horses out of Britain if a "fairer" financial structure is not introduced.

Peter Savill, a leading British owner and a director of the BHB, hailed as a success the visit he and the trainer John Gosden made to Dubai to discuss the plan with the two Sheikhs. "Both were fully supportive of the plan," he said.

Their threats still hang heavy in the air of racing, however, and as if to emphasise this point Sheikh Hamdan moved his Middle Park Stakes winner, Hayil, and 11 other horses that were trained by the late David Morley to France yesterday.