Great Britain's Horsemen's Group was to hold a "crisis board meeting" Wednesday following the sudden resignation of Philip Freedman, who had been due to become chairman on Jan. 1, according to Chris Cook of the London GUARDIAN. Freedman's departure "appears to have been caused by repeated clashes" with Group CEO Alan Morcombe, over the way in which the body should proceed. Freedman wrote in a statement: "I am resigning from the board with immediate effect. It has become clear in recent days that the differences between the chief executive and myself over how the HG should best act in the interests of its members are so great that we cannot continue working together." Freedman was unavailable for further comment, and was believed to have boarded a plane to California for this weekend's Breeders' Cup before the news broke. Morcombe responded by releasing a "terse" statement, noting the group "is disappointed with Philip's decision, and unsuccessful efforts were made to get him to reconsider." Wednesday's meeting was to be between Morcombe and representatives of the group's constituent bodies, the Racehorse Owners Association, the National Trainers Federation, the Professional Jockeys Association, the National Association of Stable Staff and the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (GUARDIAN, 10/30).
