Man charged after Conduit threats

A man has been charged for blackmail over threats to harm Conduit before his victory in July’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The Guardian newspaper has revealed that Andrew Rodgerson, 26, of Rochdale, is due to appear in Bolton crown court on December 1.

Rodgerson is said to have sent text messages and e-mails to connections of the colt threatening to kill him unless he was withdrawn from the Group One.

Peter Reynolds, manager of Ballymacoll Stud who own Conduit, is said to have received the demands in the days prior to the race while trainer Michael Stoute discussed the issue with the British Horseracing Authority in order to get stronger security for his horse for his visit to the Berkshire course.

“This charge relates to an incident in which a racehorse owner received threats before a race at the end of July,” a spokesman for Greater Manchester police told the Guardian.

Reynolds added: “I can confirm that a threat was made to me and the matter was placed in the hands of the police.”