Amer Abdulaziz Salman, the founder of Phoenix Thoroughbreds, whose colours have been worn to victory in some of Australia and the world’s biggest races, has been jailed for 15 months over conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The 61-year-old Bahraini businessman was jailed last month in Pennsylvania, according to reports in the Racing Post, and will remain at the Loretto Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security facility in Pennsylvania, until October 20, 2026.
Abdulaziz was sentenced for his role in the fraudulent cryptocurrency OneCoin, with Phoenix confirming in a statement this week that he was now in jail.
"Ever since the fraudulent activities of some of his business partners were revealed to him and the world by the OneCoin prosecutions in New York, Amer Abdulaziz has acted with integrity and honour. An accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and patron of numerous philanthropic causes, Mr Abdulaziz's responsibility as a citizen led him to engage proactively with United States law enforcement,” the statement said.
"Over the last several years, Mr Abdulaziz has voluntarily travelled between Dubai and New York and engaged with US authorities. He has accepted responsibility for harm ultimately inflicted upon victims of the OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud, which was instigated by people with whom Mr Abdulaziz had business ties.
"Mr Abdulaziz has always been adamant that he would comply with his obligations under the law and honourably face whatever consequences result from the fair administration of justice, and he has honoured this promise."
Phoenix Thoroughbreds became major investors in Australian bloodstock and racing from 2018 until 2021 and its colours were to the fore with the victory of Farnan in the 2020 Golden Slipper and Loving Gaby in the 2019 Manikato Stakes and 2020 William Reid Stakes.
They also raced horsed internationally, including Group 1 winner Gronkowski.
The Straight reported earlier this year that Phoenix was exiting its racing and breeding interests in Australia, with Brookdale Racing emerging in its place. However, its name is still registered as an owner of several horses, including Loving Gaby’s daughter Just Like Gaby.
Brookdale Racing Pty Ltd is wholly owned by Bahrain-based Nader Hasan Moosa Jaafar Alaali.
Tim Rowe
