Syndicate on brink of collapse over outstanding payments

Trainers and syndicate members associated with ownership group EPDS Racing are considering taking legal action in response to the company's apparent failure to settle outstanding payments.

It is understood EPDS Racing's managing director John Powell has encountered financial problems and with the group on the brink of collapse, a number of horses have been transferred to other syndicates.

Jamie Snowden, who is one of the trainers affected, has moved his horses, including Our Reward, a winner at Fontwell last month in the colours of Heart Racing, into different syndicates.

He said: "There has been concern among syndicate members and trainers about EPDS as people haven't been getting the prize-money and training fees haven't been paid either.

"The BHA and NTF are on the case and it is being resolved. We've moved the horses on into different ownership to stop the haemorrhage and we'll have to go about the next stage to try and get the money back."

A BHA spokesman said: "The BHA cannot comment on specific cases or speculation around specific cases. More generally though, when a training agreement exists between the owner and trainer, should any unpaid training fees be reported to the BHA then it has the authority to look into those claims.

"Should there be outstanding debts that are not settled then the BHA has the ability to place owners and syndicates operators on the forfeit list until such debts are paid."

The majority of EPDS Racing's horses had been split between Robin Dickin and Graeme McPherson, while other trainers on the roster included Rebecca Menzies, Noel Williams, Fergal O'Brien and Louisa Carberry in France.

Dickin, who has similarly taken control of three horses from EPDS, said: "I know John has had personal and family problems but whatever I can do to help, I will. It's a financial mess and I believe some people have been left out of pocket but I don't know the figures. I'm owed some but he's promised he'll pay me."

McPherson was responsible for the partnership's best horse Ami Desbois, a six-time winner who finished fifth in the 2017 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.

The nine-year-old changed ownership in April and has finished second on two subsequent starts for The McPherson Racing Partnership.

"We trained four horses for EPDS and the ownership of those has transferred into new partnerships," said McPherson. "They will all continue to be trained here for many of the former members of the partnerships."

Syndicate member Mark Curtis, who is among those involved in Ami Desbois, is considering taking legal action.

He said: "We're going to try going to the small claims court. We joined EPDS as a surprise for my wife's 40th birthday and had some good times and met some lovely people, but this has taken the shine off it.

"The last contact we had from John was at the start of April informing us all money owed from the horse's winnings would be paid but we've heard nothing since."

The Racing Post contacted Powell for comment but received no reply.

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