Five big names quit Retraining of Racehorses - but official says there's no problem

Retraining of Racehorses said there is "nothing sinister" about the recent departures of five senior figures including Di Arbuthnot, its chief executive since 2002. The sport's official charity for retired racehorses has also lost its patron, Clare Balding, a trustee, Lady Emma Balding, its head of welfare, Jenny Hall, and its communications consultant, John Maxse — all within the last three months.

An RoR statement said Arbuthnot had "decided to leave" and thanked her for "her dedication and commitment over the last 20 years", but it did not offer an explanation for her decision or include any quotes from Arbuthnot, who said she was unable to comment when approached by the Racing Post.

The departure of Lady Emma Balding seems especially significant, as she had been a trustee since the founding of RoR in October 2000 and has been described as instrumental in its creation by obtaining a bequest from the Mellon family. She is the mother of Clare, whose appointment as patron in 2014 was described as "a huge boost" to RoR.