Owner threatens to quit British racing Gerald Leigh, the owner-breeder of leading Sagitta 1000 Guineas fancy Gossamer, has threatened to have his horses in training removed from Britain and sent overseas.Leigh, one of Britain`s leading breeders, announced his ultimatum at the annual general meeting of the Thoroughbred Breeders` Association in London this afternoon.He was responding to the fears of Chairman Nigel Elwes that the TBA might lose its seat on the British Horseracing Board.The BHB is currently undergoing an extensive review of its internal structure which is expected to lead to changes in its constitutional make-up.Leigh`s announcement comes only days after the TBA made him their Flat Breeder of the Year for his successes with Group One-winning two-year-olds, Gossamer and Act One.He also bred champion Miler Barathea, Gossamer`s full-brother, winner of the 1993 Irish 2000 Guineas and the 1994 Breeders` Cup Mile in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed. He now stands at Leigh`s Eydon Hall Farm stud in Northamptonshire.He said: 'If the TBA were removed from the BHB board then it would be my intention to remove my horses from training in Britain and send them to France and Ireland.'The disenfranchisement of the breeders from racing`s governing body would be totally unacceptable. I cannot believe that it will happen.'Elwes himself said that he would forced to 'consider his position' if the TBA were removed from the Board.
