British Horseracing Plans One-Day Strike in Tax Protest

Instead, jockeys, trainers and owners will head to Westminster to meet with the MP to highlight their concerns. The strike takes place on the eve of the four-day St Leger event at Doncaster, which the Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer attended last year.

The following events have been rescheduled due to the strike:

The strike means that the only horse racing event that is due to take place on 10 September is in Cork, Ireland.

The strike is in response to the proposed tax hike on fixed odds betting that has been proposed in the autumn Budget. The proposals intend to streamline betting tax and would bring fixed odds betting into line with the rate paid on online gaming (casinos and slots), which is six per cent more than the current rate of 15%. It’s a move which could hit racing particularly hard, to the tune of an estimated £330 million over the next five years.

The decision to strike was not taken lightly, as the move will likely cost the sport around £200,000. This is the first time the sport has voluntarily refused to race in modern history, so there is hope that this drastic move highlights concerns over the damaging effects of a tax hike.

BHA Chief Executive Brant Dunshea said: “It’s certainly not a decision we have taken lightly. The industry is united in saying that cost is a small price to pay for ensuring we send a clear and loud message to the Government. Racing is more than just a sport; it’s a cherished part of our culture, and we are a major employer. We are different to online casinos.”

Currently, there are no further strikes planned, but it will be interesting to see if the one-day strike action is impactful enough to change the outcome of the autumn Budget.