For the first time in modern history, British horse racing went on strike. Jockeys, trainers, and owners rallied in Westminster to oppose a proposed gambling tax rise that could cost the sport millions and thousands of jobs.
Historic Protest in Westminster
On 10 September 2025, the British horse racing industry staged an unprecedented protest outside Westminster. Top jockeys including Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand, and Oisin Murphy joined trainers and owners in opposing the government’s plan to raise the betting tax on horse racing. Many wore silks emblazoned with the slogan “Axe The Racing Tax,” while a statue of a horse carrying the same message underscored the campaign’s urgency.
The demonstration coincided with a one-day strike across British racing—the first time the sport has voluntarily refused to race in its modern history. As a result, four meetings at Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter, and Kempton Park were rescheduled.
What the Tax Reform Means
At the heart of the dispute is the government’s proposal to unify the remote gambling tax. Currently, bookmakers on horse racing pay a 15% levy, while online gambling faces a 21% rate. The Treasury wants to align the two. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), however, has warned that such a change would have “destructive” consequences. Its analysis projects a £330 million revenue loss and nearly 2,800 jobs at risk in the first year alone.
Leaders within the industry argue that racing is fundamentally different from online gambling. They stress that racing involves skill, tradition, and wide community impact, from trainers and jockeys to stable staff and racecourses. Treating it like casino gambling, they say, is both unfair and dangerous to the future of the sport.
Political Support and Next Steps
Some MPs have voiced support for the industry. Labour MP Alex Ballinger argued that the government should tax more addictive and harmful forms of gambling, such as online casinos, at higher rates, while preserving horse racing’s current tax status given its cultural and economic contributions.
The protest came just a day before the prestigious St Leger Festival at Doncaster, adding symbolic weight to the industry’s message: without urgent government reconsideration, the future of British racing could be at serious risk.
Source: bbc.com
