How Annamarie Phelps was eased out of the BHA - and what it means for racing

The name of Annamarie Phelps can now be added to the list of departures from the BHA, although not officially until the conclusion of her three-year term at the end of May.

A number of senior figures have left British racing's governing body in recent months but none as senior as Phelps, who, unlike her predecessors Steve Harman and Paul Roy, will not embark on a second term.

Ordinarily such an announcement would not have been made seven days before the biggest meeting of the calendar but these were not ordinary circumstances. The news was released earlier than had been expected due to a leak which had made its way to The Times newspaper.