Man charged with blackmail over threat to kill 4-year-old colt Conduit before Ascot race

Man charged with blackmail for threat to kill colt

MANCHESTER, England — A man has been charged with blackmail over a threat to kill 4-year-old colt Conduit before his Group One victory at Ascot.

Ten days before Conduit tries to win his second Breeders Cup Turf in a row at Santa Anita, Calif., Manchester police said Wednesday the man would appear in court Dec. 1.

The police didn’t identify the man but the Guardian newspaper named him as 26-year-old Andrew Rodgerson and alleged he sent texts and e-mails threatening to kill the colt unless he were withdrawn from the race.

Conduit led a 1-2-3 sweep for trainer Michael Stoute by winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on July 25. He is a 6-4 favorite with British bookmakers to repeat his Breeders Cup Turf triumph on Nov. 7.