Phoenix Thoroughbreds founder's brother-in-law offloads ownership stake in racing champ Thorpedo Anna, following the imprisonment of the company's head.

In the world of horse racing, the name Amer Abdulaziz Salman was synonymous with success. As the founder and CEO of Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Salman made a significant impact, but his name has recently been tainted by a different kind of controversy.

Salman, a 61-year-old Bahraini businessman, was sentenced to 15 months in prison in the United States for his involvement in a money laundering conspiracy related to the OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud. He began serving his sentence on July 11, 2025, at the Loretto Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security facility in Pennsylvania. His scheduled release date is October 20, 2026.

Despite the conviction, Phoenix Thoroughbreds has issued statements highlighting Salman's cooperation with authorities and his philanthropic background. The company described him as acting "with integrity and honour," proactively engaging with U.S. law enforcement and accepting responsibility for the harm caused to victims of the fraud.

Meanwhile, in the horse racing world, another significant development has taken place. Thorpedo Anna, a horse registered under Brookdale Racing and Mark Edwards, made a winning debut in November of her two-year-old season. This filly has since gone on to achieve remarkable success, becoming North America's reigning horse of the year.

Thorpedo Anna's journey to the top was not without its challenges. She disappointed in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes but bounced back to win the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Stakes on her most recent start in June. Her only defeat last year was a head second to Fierceness in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes.

The filly has added a sixth Grade 1 to her list of accomplishments this season, winning the Apple Blossom Handicap. Despite being sold by Brookdale Racing, Judy Hicks, Mark Edwards, and Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing have retained their stakes in Thorpedo Anna, ensuring that she will continue to race on as a five-year-old.

The buyer of Thorpedo Anna is John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. Sikura, a respected figure in the horse racing world, expressed his admiration for the pedigree of Thorpedo Anna, which includes Cosmah, Almahmoud, Halo, and Northern Dancer, considered one of the greatest sires ever.

As for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, over the past year, the company has wound down its international racing and breeding operation, including the wholesale transfer of its Australian interests to Al A'Ali, the brother-in-law of Salman. Al A'Ali, who races his horses under the banner of Brookdale Racing, had no involvement with racing prior to 2021.

The sale of Thorpedo Anna and the ongoing incarceration of Salman serve as a reminder of the complexities and controversies that can sometimes intertwine with the world of horse racing. Despite these challenges, the sport continues to captivate and inspire, as evidenced by the success of Thorpedo Anna and the continued dedication of its owners and trainers.

Phoenix Thoroughbreds founder's brother-in-law offloads ownership stake in racing champ Thorpedo Anna, following the imprisonment of the company's head.