Finance Notes: Top British Horse Trainers Owed More Than £1M By Qatar Empire

Several of Britain’s leading horse trainers "are collectively owed" more than £1M ($1.35M) in overdue fees from Al Shaqab, the racing empire of Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, the brother of the Emir of Qatar. In some cases, the arrears reportedly "date back more than six months." Al Shaqab "was set up five years ago in a bid to counter the might of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Godolphin operation in Dubai" (LONDON TIMES, 1/3).

The future of Ganstead Park Golf Club near Hull is now secure "following the sale of the club to its members," which was supported by a six-figure funding package from HSBC. The "family-run golf club," which has been part of Hull’s golfing community for more than 40 years, "was put up for sale after the family made the decision to retire." The club’s 400-plus members "were offered first refusal to buy the club’s land and assets," an offer which was supported by 90% of the members, who raised 25% of the purchase price (BDAILY, 1/3).