The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has suspended all horses owned by the Deva Racing syndicate from participating in races amid allegations of unpaid training fees and outstanding prize-money. The decision follows claims that Ryan Tongue, manager of Deva Racing, withheld payments owed to several trainers and syndicate members.

Among the disputes is the case of Imperial Emperor, a horse bearing Deva Racing’s navy and red colors, which secured a Group 1 victory in Dubai earlier this year. Members of the syndicate asserted they were each entitled to approximately £30,000 in prize-money. However, Tongue reportedly failed to distribute these earnings.

In addition, Tongue is accused of entering Imperial Emperor into a sale without the consent of the syndicate owners. Following these developments, Tongue has become unreachable, further complicating efforts to resolve the financial issues.

In response, the BHA announced it has halted all entries and declarations from the Deva Racing ownership group pending investigation. The halt means none of the syndicate’s horses are currently eligible to compete under official racing conditions.

The BHA did not provide further details but emphasized that the suspension aims to protect the interests of trainers and owners affected by the alleged non-payment. The situation highlights ongoing challenges within racing syndicates where management disputes can impact multiple stakeholders.

At this time, no public statement has been made by Ryan Tongue or representatives of Deva Racing to address the allegations. The BHA’s move reflects its commitment to maintaining integrity and transparency in the sport.