British horse racing set for unprecedented strike over betting tax changes
The four scheduled fixtures at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield and Kempton will not take place after agreements between the owners of the courses and the British Horseracing Authority, making it the first time the sport has voluntarily refused to race in modern history.
The BHA set up the 'Axe the Racing Tax' campaign in response to proposals to replace the existing three-tax structure of online gambling duties with a single tax, with fears the current 15 per cent duty on racing could be increased to the 21 per cent levied on games of chance.
Brant Dunshea, chief executive at the British Horseracing Authority, said: "We have decided to take the unprecedented decision to cancel our planned racing fixtures on September 10 to highlight to 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."
The four tracks involved are operated by the Jockey Club and the Arena Racing Company, with both backing the move.
Jim Mullen, CEO at the Jockey Club, said: "We hope this pause for reflection will enable the Government to truly understand the economic impact of horseracing 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."
Martin Cruddace, CEO at ARC, added: "We have always been taxed and regulated differently, and it is imperative for our future that we continue to be so.
"If the Government wants Britain to be a world leader in online casino and a world pauper in a sport at the heart of its culture, then tax harmonisation will achieve that aim."
While the four meetings will be rescheduled, Paul Johnson, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, underlined the "sacrifice" in calling a halt to the sport for a day.
He said: "Cancelling fixtures is a huge sacrifice by racing and should serve as a stark reminder to the Government of the impact its tax raid will have on our sport.
"Thousands of jobs are at stake alongside the loss of millions of pounds to the British economy."
A Treasury spokesperson said: "We are consulting on bringing the treatment of online betting in line with other forms of online gambling to cut down bureaucracy - it is not about increasing or decreasing rates, and we welcome views from all stakeholders including businesses, trade bodies, the third sector and individuals."
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