Varian rubbishes rumours of wrongdoing in yard and moves to reassure owners

Leading trainer Roger Varian has sought to pour cold water on persistent rumours connecting former members of staff with corruption by going public on the distress that gossip has caused and revealing the BHA has assured him no ongoing investigations are linked to his Classic-winning yard.

Varian, whose runners earned more than £2 million in prize-money during 2018, on Saturday wrote to his owners, informing them a freelance journalist planned to publish a story in which he would allege four members of the trainer's staff were sacked for laying the stable's horses on betting exchanges.

There has been recent speculation that multiple Group 1 winner Varian had parted company with certain members of his team due to behaviour that contravened the rules of racing.

The Newmarket trainer, whose owners include Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, Hamdan Al Maktoum and Cheveley Park Stud, has previously rubbished those rumours when asked about them in private inquiries.

Roger Varian contacted all his owners at the end of last weekCredit: Chris Bourchier

However, after last week being quizzed by the tabloid reporter, Varian contacted all his owners, outlining the claims being made and denying all the accusations.

In the letter, Varian wrote: "I can tell you that the story is without foundation and is built on rumours which I believe to be 100 per cent untrue.

"The allegations are that during last season I dismissed four employees, whose names the journalist mentioned, on the grounds they were laying horses in the yard – in other words betting on them to lose.

"I do not know what the origins of these rumours are, and I have heard them before, but I found them so ridiculous and implausible that I assumed they would evaporate."

Roger Varian: 'I do not know what the origins of these rumours are'Credit: Laura Green

Varian's email continued: "I can categorically assure you none of the employees mentioned by the journalist was dismissed by me either for the reasons suggested by him or at all. (Whilst it is true they no longer work here, two of them left of their own accord and the other two on mutually agreed terms. All of them left here on good terms and with good references.)

"I can also categorically say that as far as I am aware none of my current or former employees are under investigation by the BHA for corrupt and improper betting practices. I have briefed Brant Dunshea (chief regulatory officer) of these rumours.

"I am sorry and embarrassed that I have to bring this to your attention but I do not want your first knowledge of these spurious allegations to reach you first via the news media."

The BHA’s policy is not to comment on speculation. However, it is understood there are no active investigations regarding the individuals around whom the rumours have been circulating.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Varian said: "I've been aware of these rumours for some time and have never believed them to have any credibility whatsoever. I've also been assured by the BHA that none of the people linked to them are under any form of investigation.

"As I said in the letter to my owners, I found the rumours so implausible I presumed they would simply go away, but they've persisted, which for understandable reasons has been distressing and disappointing.

"I hope this now completely puts them to bed and that my owners, staff, family, myself and others affected can look forward to a happy and successful 2019."

Varian, whose track stars have included Postponed and Kingston Hill, was a top-flight winner again in 2018 thanks to Sheikha Reika, successful in the EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in October.

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