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British horse racing is preparing to make history with its first-ever nationwide strike. On Sept. 10, no races will take place across the country as the sport pushes back against a government plan to raise taxes on racing from 15% to 21%.
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The Treasury wants to create a single gambling tax framework, meaning horse racing would be taxed at the same rate as online slot machines. In addition to the 15% betting duty it already pays, racing also carries a 10% levy that helps return betting profits back into the sport.
BHA Chief Executive Brant Dunshea called the strike unprecedented:
“This is the first time that British Racing has chosen not to race due to Government proposals,” he said. “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 BHA estimates the new system could cost the sport £330 million in lost revenue in the first year alone. That figure comes with a warning of 2,752 jobs disappearing across the country. Racing leaders also point out that the industry contributes £4.1 billion annually to the UK economy, and the added burden could “threaten the very future” of the sport.
Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Racing Company are backing the strike, with abandoned fixtures at Lingfield, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton. The cancellations are expected to cause an immediate £700,000 loss, with rescheduled meetings spread over the days before and after Sept. 10.
Alongside the strike, trainers, jockeys, owners, and industry leaders will travel to Westminster on the day of the shutdown. Their goal is to lobby MPs directly, using both the economic argument and the cultural heritage of racing to strengthen their case.
“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,” Dunshea explained.
For now, the message from racing’s governing body is simple: without urgent changes to the government’s plan, the industry faces an uncertain future.