British horseracing is set to make history on September 10, 2025, as the sport stages its first-ever voluntary strike in protest against a proposed tax hike on betting. The unprecedented move will see four scheduled meetings—at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield Park, and Kempton Park—scratched from the calendar, as the industry unites to oppose the government’s plans to overhaul online gambling duties. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), together with the Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company (ARC), is spearheading the “Axe the Racing Tax” campaign, warning that the new tax structure could devastate the sport’s finances and threaten thousands of jobs across the United Kingdom.
The strike comes as the Treasury considers replacing the current three-tier tax structure on online gambling with a single, harmonized rate. At the heart of the controversy is the fear that the duty on racing—currently 15%—could be bumped up to 21%, matching the rate levied on online casino games and slots. For an industry already described as being in a “precarious financial position,” the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Brant Dunshea, chief executive at the BHA, didn’t mince words when announcing the action. “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,” Dunshea said. He emphasized, “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.”
The economic impact of British racing is significant—the BHA estimates the industry is worth £4.1 billion to the UK economy and supports some 85,000 jobs. The proposed tax changes, according to independent analysis commissioned by the BHA, could lead to an estimated £330 million loss in revenue and put 2,752 jobs at risk in the first year alone. These figures have sent shockwaves through the sport, prompting a rare show of unity among racecourse owners, trainers, jockeys, and fans.
The four affected tracks are operated by the Jockey Club and ARC, both of which have thrown their weight behind the protest. Jim Mullen, CEO at the Jockey Club, urged the government to pause and reflect: “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, highlighted the unique nature of racing within the gambling sector: “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.”
The strike isn’t just about lost revenue on a single day. Paul Johnson, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, described the decision as a “huge sacrifice by racing” and a stark reminder to the government of what’s at stake. “Thousands of jobs are at stake alongside the loss of millions of pounds to the British economy,” Johnson noted, underlining the sport’s deep roots in British towns and rural communities.
Reactions from within the industry have been passionate and, at times, divided. Ralph Beckett, a prominent trainer and former NTF president, called the strike “brilliant” and “really good news,” adding, “I’m sure we’ll all be getting behind it.” Fellow trainers John Gosden and Sir Mark Prescott echoed these sentiments, with Gosden warning, “If you want to kill communities and create a lot of unemployment, if they do what they’re talking about, that’s exactly what will happen.”
On the other hand, some stakeholders are skeptical about the effectiveness of the strike. David Fox, a racegoer, expressed doubt that the action would sway government policy, suggesting negotiation might be more fruitful. The Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), representing the regulated UK betting and gaming industry, criticized the move as a “futile political gesture,” arguing it was taken without sufficient consultation with betting operators whose financial support is “mission critical” for racing. The BGC warned, “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.”
Meanwhile, the government has maintained that its consultation on online betting tax is aimed at cutting bureaucracy, not at raising or lowering rates. A Treasury spokesperson stated, “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.”
September 10’s strike will coincide with a major campaign event at Westminster, where senior leaders, owners, trainers, and jockeys will gather to highlight the threat posed by the Treasury’s proposal. The timing is strategic, coming just a day before the start of the prestigious four-day St Leger festival at Doncaster Racecourse, one of the highlights of the British flat racing calendar.
All four cancelled meetings have been rescheduled: Lingfield Park’s fixture moves to September 8, Carlisle’s to September 9, Uttoxeter’s to September 11, and Kempton Park’s to September 15, with an additional Kempton Park evening fixture shifted to September 18. Owners and trainers have generally welcomed the effort to minimize disruption while keeping the focus squarely on the protest.
Beyond the immediate financial implications, the strike has sparked a broader debate about the future direction of British racing and its relationship with both government and the betting industry. Figures like Dido Harding, senior steward of the Jockey Club, have argued that racing is “family entertainment” and shouldn’t be equated with games of chance like online roulette. “What you’re saying to them is that this is the same as spinning a wheel in the middle of the night on the virtual roulette table and it really isn’t,” she remarked, pointing to the sport’s unique cultural role.
As the blank day approaches, the industry remains on edge. Will this bold action prompt a government rethink, or will it be seen as a costly statement with limited political impact? One thing is certain: British horseracing is making its voice heard, and the outcome of this standoff may shape the sport for years to come.
For now, the countdown to September 10 continues. The racing world holds its breath, united in purpose if not always in opinion, as it faces one of the gravest challenges in its storied history.
