Former policeman and racehorse owner jailed for six years for running fraudulent betting syndicate

A former police sergeant and racehorse owner has been jailed for six years after running a fraudulent betting syndicate that duped over 6,000 people out of at least £44 million.

Mike Stanley, 68, ran the Layezy Racing syndicate and convinced members, who had individually invested up to £500,000, that he had a system to generate guaranteed returns from his betting. 

But Stanley was instead operating a Ponzi scheme and spent the money on a lavish lifestyle, including 23 racehorses, a £400,000 property in Spain, cars, jewellery, £1.6 million of cryptocurrency and £622,000 worth of silver bullion.

Detective Sergeant Alec Wood of Kent Police said: “Mike Stanley started Layezy Racing in 2010 as a legitimate source of income for himself and those who paid into the scheme, but the financial evidence showed that from 2013 onwards he was criminally cheating people out of their hard-earned money in order to maintain his own lavish lifestyle.

“I hope the outcome of this investigation sends a clear message that anyone who seeks to lie and cheat their way to financial prosperity will be brought to justice.”

RCA Showcase Awards finalists revealed - including Racing Post Readers' shortlist

The finalists for the 2024 RCA Showcase Awards have been unveiled, with 29 courses represented across ten categories. Seven tracks have three nominations, including former winners Ascot, Chester, Musselburgh and York, as well as Chelmsford City, Ripon and Wincanton.

Two of the awards are voted for by the public: the Racing Post Readers’ Award and Owners’ Racecourse of the Year (in collaboration with the Racehorse Owners Association). Scotland's tracks are particularly well represented in the Racing Post Readers' category, with Ayr, Kelso and Musselburgh joined by Chester and Salisbury.

The winners will be crowned at a ceremony at the Signet Library in Edinburgh on Thursday, November 7.

Charges dropped against six animal rights protesters

Charges have been dropped against six animal rights protesters who attempted to disrupt the 2022 Derby at Epsom by running on to the track before the start of the Classic.

The six female protesters had been charged with causing a public nuisance, but their cases were dropped last week after the Crown Prosecution Service deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution.

Last year, Ben Newman, a founding member of Animal Rising, was given a suspended jail sentence and 80-hours unpaid community work after running on to the course after the start of the Derby. In July this year, the Jockey Club was granted a five-year injunction prohibiting trespassers at Epsom who aim to disrupt racing at the course.

Animal Rising also delayed the start of last year’s Grand National, with 20 people charged by police in July this year in connection with the disruption.

Death of key Ladbrokes figure Terry Leon at 77

Terry Leon, who spent his career in bookmaking working his way up to head of development and licensing at Ladbrokes, has died. He was 77.

Leon started as a board-marker in a south London betting shop in 1964 before moving on to roles at Coral and Surrey Racing and then taking up his position in 1994 with Ladbrokes, where he remained until his retirement 17 years later.

In his time there Leon oversaw Ladbrokes' first acquisitions in Northern Ireland with the purchase of Duffy Bookmakers and Eastwoods, along with numerous other notable deals.

Leon is survived by his wife Lesley and their daughters Anna and Pippa. Donations in his memory can be made to the Rosemary Foundation here.

William Hill announced as new sponsor for next month's Futurity Trophy

William Hill have been announced as the new sponsor of the Futurity Trophy, the final Group 1 of the British season at Doncaster on October 26.

The race, supported last season by Qatar Racing, was sponsored by William Hill in 1976, when its name changed from the Observer Gold Cup.

Aidan O'Brien is bidding for a 12th win in the race, which headlines a two-day meeting, and trains the 5-2 ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter.

"William Hill have a long association with Doncaster and the Futurity Trophy in particular so we're delighted to welcome them back to the race," said Arena Racing Company's director of commercial strategy and partnerships David Leyden Dunbar.

"Recent years have proven it to be an excellent opportunity for some of the UK and Ireland’s best two-year-olds, and we look forward to another excellent renewal in October."

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