At first glance, Tasmanian Greens senator Bob Brown and the U.S. State Department would not appear to have a lot in common.  But they do agree about Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov.

The U.S. State Department has asked the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to review Kadyrov’s human rights record before making a decision on his license status.

On October 7, the Kadyrov owned Sweet Ducky was scratched from an allowance race at Keeneland by stewards when the owner was not issued a license.

Chief Steward John Veitch said a letter from the State Department did not advise the racing commission or directly accuse Kadyrov of specific violations.  It only pointed out that there have been allegations.

Kadyrov has been active in the thoroughbred market this year buying Gitano Hernando (Hernando) prior to its G1 victory in the Singapore International Cup in May.

He also purchased Australian bred Galileo’s Galaxy (Galileo) to race at the 2012 Dubai Carnival.  The colt was based in South Africa where he won five races and was G1 placed in the Champions Cup at Clairwood and Cape Guineas at Kenilworth.  

Kadyrov’s previous buys include Coolmore Stud’s G3 Queen’s Vase winner Mikhail Glinka.

Bob Brown made headlines during 2009 Flemington spring carnival when Kadyrov’s stayer Mourilyan collected $420,000 for finishing third in the Melbourne Cup.  The Greens senator said the prizemoney should have been held by the Federal Government due to concerns it might be used to fund Kadyrov’s dictatorship.