British horse racing is set to make history this September, but not for the reasons fans had hoped. In a move that’s rattled the sport’s foundations, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced an unprecedented one-day strike on 10 September 2025, protesting the Government’s proposed tax hike on betting related to the sport. For the first time in its modern era, British racing will voluntarily grind to a halt—not for weather, not for disease, but to make its voice heard in Westminster.
The strike, part of the industry-wide "Axe The Racing Tax" campaign, will see four fixtures—Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter, and Kempton Park—scratched from the calendar on that day. These meetings, originally scheduled for 10 September, have already been rearranged by the BHA. Racing’s decision to down tools comes just a day before the prestigious four-day St Leger festival at Doncaster Racecourse, a fixture that draws attention from across the globe.
So, what’s at the heart of this standoff? The Government, led by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, is proposing to introduce a single remote gambling tax that would raise the rate bookmakers pay on racing bets from 15% to 21%, aligning it with online gaming. The Treasury argues that this is about cutting bureaucracy, not about raising or lowering rates, and says it’s consulting with all stakeholders. A spokesperson for the Treasury told BBC Sport, "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."
But for those inside the racing world, the stakes could not be higher. The BHA’s economic analysis predicts a staggering £330 million loss in revenue and 2,752 jobs at risk in the first year alone if the tax hike goes through. Brant Dunshea, chief executive at the BHA, didn’t mince words about the gravity of the situation. "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. "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."
It’s worth remembering just how big a deal this is. Race meetings in Britain are held 363 days a year, with cancellations typically reserved for adverse weather, outbreaks of equine viruses, or national crises like the Covid-19 pandemic. Never before has the sport collectively opted out of racing as a protest against Government policy. The message from the BHA is clear: "Axe the racing tax and back British Racing."
The four tracks involved—Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter, and Kempton Park—are operated by the Jockey Club and the Arena Racing Company (ARC), both of whom are backing the strike. Jim Mullen, CEO at the Jockey Club, which operates 15 racecourses, emphasized the broader significance: "We hope the Government will take a moment to reflect on the harm this tax will cause to a sport in which our country leads in so many ways. 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, also weighed in, warning, "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."
Paul Johnson, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, underlined the gravity of the move, stating, "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."
According to the BHA, the horseracing industry is worth £4.1 billion to the UK economy and supports 85,000 jobs. The potential knock-on effects of the proposed tax hike are vast. Economic analysis commissioned by the BHA suggests that betting operators, faced with higher taxes, may offset their losses by increasing prices, cutting bonuses, or slashing advertising and marketing budgets. The result? A less attractive product for punters, fewer jobs, and a diminished presence for British racing on the global stage.
The strike isn’t just about numbers—it’s about heritage, culture, and the livelihoods of thousands. On the day of the strike, a major campaign event will be held in Westminster, with senior leaders, owners, trainers, and jockeys joining forces to highlight the threat posed by the Treasury’s proposal.
While the four cancelled fixtures have been rescheduled—Lingfield Park will now run on 8 September (afternoon), Carlisle on 9 September (evening), Uttoxeter on 11 September (evening), and Kempton Park on 15 September (evening), with an additional Kempton Park meeting moved to 18 September (evening)—the disruption is undeniable. For fans and industry workers alike, the day will serve as a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.
The controversy comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget, expected in October, looms on the horizon. With tax rises anticipated, all eyes are on the Government’s next move. Will this bold action by British racing prompt a rethink in Whitehall? Or will it mark the beginning of a new, more confrontational era between the sport and policymakers?
For now, the message from the racing world is loud and clear: the future of British horseracing hangs in the balance, and its defenders are prepared to fight for every furlong.
