BHA Calls Strike in Protest Against Potential Tax Hike
The BHA has announced a one-day strike during which no race meetings will take place in the UK. There is strong industry support, but the public believes the action will prove futile.
Empty Grandstands: Uttoxeter Racecourse will not race on September 10 as originally planned. © Brindley
Key Facts:
- No domestic horse racing on September 10, as the British Horseracing Authority takes strike action.
- BHA says it voluntarily refuses to race for the first time in modern history.
- A major campaign event in Westminster is also planned.
- Stakeholders united, but the public is far from convinced.
The British Horseracing Authority’s Axe The Tax campaign ramped up several notches this week when the organisation, responsible for the sport’s governance, administration and regulation, announced a one-day strike planned for September 10.
Four scheduled race meetings on the day – at Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton Park – will no longer take place and will be rescheduled. Announcing the news, the BHA said: “This will be the first time that the sport has voluntarily refused to race in its modern history.”
On the same day, the sport will host a major campaign event in Westminster where owners, trainers and jockeys will join senior leaders to highlight the threat of the Treasury’s proposed tax increase on an industry which the BHA says is worth £4.1 billion to the UK economy.
Strike to Protect Future of the Sport
Emphasising that the decision was made reluctantly but with urgency, warning of potentially catastrophic impacts – including lost revenue and job losses – if the tax changes proceed, Brant Dunshea, CEO of the BHA, said:
“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.”
It would appear that the BHA consulted many of horseracing’s major stakeholders before deciding to leave the UK without domestic racing for one day. It is a day when Cork, in Ireland, is scheduled to stage an evening horse racing meeting.
A BHA’s press release features quotes and supportive comment from Jim Mullen, CEO at The Jockey Club, Martin Cruddace, CEO at Arena Racing Company – which operates 16 racecourses and five greyhound stadia including the about-to-close Perry Barr – and Paul Johnson, Chief Executive of the National Trainers Federation.
Not Everyone Is Happy with Strike Plan
The Racing Post, horse racing’s industry bugle, was so taken with the news of an impending strike that it produced a live coverage section on its website, collating views from individuals and organisations on ‘announcement day’.
It wrote: “While support for the unprecedented strike action being taken by British horseracing has been near unanimous today, the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), the standards body for the regulated UK betting and gaming industry, is not as impressed and has questioned the strategy, citing a lack of consultation and describing it as a ‘futile political gesture’.”
An official BGC statement read: “Racing’s decision to reschedule fixtures was taken without consultation with betting operators, whose support for the funding of the sport is mission critical. We are concerned that futile political gestures will only antagonise the Government and frustrate punters instead of delivering a solution to a shared challenge facing both racing and betting.”
Why would the government give two hoots about this?
— Jon Williams (@HORISracing) August 17, 2025
100-Plus Punter Replies – None Are Happy
While there was limited criticism for the strike day from within racing, social media posts indicate the general public is unconvinced that the Government would reconsider plans to increase current taxation rates because a weekday will proceed without any live British horseracing.
The BHA’s X post (Tweet) announcing the strike action received over 100 replies. None pledged support for the BHA’s plan or even praised it. The overall opinion is that of futility. Albeit some interesting points were raised.
“Betting Duty was 1st introduced in 1966 at 2½% and up to 5% in 1969 later increased again all by Labour Governments. A one-day strike will achieve nothing. They hate racing,” one reply read.
“Will they cancel the virtual racing as well? Because people will still bet whether UK racing is on or not,” and “All the big corps online slots getting turned off for the day as well?” others asked.
Who Is Racing Rescheduling Against?
The fact that the meetings that fall on September 10 have been rescheduled brought about much comment. “What difference is this day going to make if you are rescheduling the fixtures to other days? A hollow strike that makes no difference to racing taxes,” one reply declared.
“Great idea! Interrupted training schedules! Inconvenience to all. The danger here is that your Government might get to see this reduced amount of racing isn’t noticed. Reasoned debate is much more effective long-term than an apparent tantrum tactic like this. Bad move …” said another observer.
And the most interesting reply read: “Who are they striking against? Who will be affected by this? What is the point? It’s the most ridiculous gesture that will only hurt racing!”
