BHA Cancels All UK Racing on 10 September in Protest Against Government Betting Tax Rise

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that all race meetings across the UK scheduled for 10 September will be cancelled in protest against the government’s plan to increase tax on horse racing betting. Four fixtures at Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton Park will be affected and will be rescheduled for a later date.

This unprecedented move marks the first time the sport has voluntarily refused to race and signals an escalation in the BHA’s Axe the Racing Tax campaign, which was launched last month. Alongside the cancellation of fixtures, a major demonstration will take place outside Westminster, where trainers, jockeys, owners and senior figures from the industry will gather to underline the dangers posed by the Treasury’s proposals.

Under the government’s plan, betting on horse racing would be taxed at the same rate as online gambling, rising from 15 per cent to 21 per cent. According to research carried out by the BHA, such a hike would cost the sport £66 million annually and could put 2,752 jobs at risk within the first year.

BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea said: “We have decided to take the unprecedented decision to cancel our planned racing fixtures on 10 September to highlight to the government the serious consequences of the Treasury’s tax proposals which threaten the very future of our sport. British Racing is already in a precarious financial position, and research has shown that a tax rise on racing could be catastrophic for the sport and the thousands of jobs that rely on it in towns and communities across the country. This is the first time that British Racing has chosen not to race due to government proposals. We haven’t taken this decision lightly, but in doing so, we are urging the Government to rethink this tax proposal to protect the future of our sport, which is a cherished part of Britain’s heritage and culture. Our message to government is clear: axe the racing tax and back British racing.”

Jim Mullen, CEO of The Jockey Club, echoed this warning. He said: “Our sport has come together today, and by cancelling racing fixtures, we hope the Government will take a moment to reflect on the harm this tax will cause to a sport in which our country leads in so many ways. We hope this pause for reflection will enable the government to truly understand the economic impact of horse racing and its cultural significance to communities across the UK, as well as the world-class racing festivals we host. After this period of reflection, we hope the full implications will be understood, and we can prevent the irreparable damage that threatens a sport the nation is, and should be, proud of.”

By fLEXI tEAM