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Why all horse racing is cancelled today as sport shuts down for first time

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 14:13 GMT by Talksport
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Why the British horse‑racing strike erupted today – and what the Westminster betting‑news tax actually means

In a dramatic turn of events that has left racecourse crowds, punters and industry insiders scrambling, the British horse‑racing sector went on strike today in response to the government’s “Westminster betting‑news tax”. The protest comes as the National Horseracing Club (NHC), the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and a number of jockey and trainer organisations announce a collective walk‑out that will affect the UK’s most iconic racing calendar.

1. The backdrop – a new, higher betting duty

For almost a decade the UK has been tightening its grip on the gambling industry. In 2018 the government increased the “betting duty” from 8 % to 15 % for land‑based betting shops, a move that was largely accepted as a modest revenue booster. However, the recent announcement – dubbed the “Westminster betting‑news tax” because it was passed by Parliament in Westminster – raises the duty even higher, not only for betting shops but also for online bookmakers that advertise betting news, odds and analysis.

The tax, which will take effect on 1 April 2024, is calculated as a flat 15 % of gross betting revenue. It is intended to generate an estimated £300 million per year for public spending, notably the National Health Service and social care. The measure has sparked fierce backlash from the racing community, who see the tax as a direct hit to a sector already under pressure from declining attendance and the after‑effects of the pandemic.

2. Why the strike?

The BHA and the NHC argue that the new duty will have a domino effect on every link in the racing chain:

• Loss of income for racecourses – Smaller tracks that run on thin margins risk closure. The BHA warns that up to 20 % of the UK’s 80 racecourses could be forced to shut their doors permanently.
• Cuts to training and stabling facilities – Trainers will have to reduce the number of horses they can care for, potentially leading to a drop in the quality and number of races.
• Job losses across the industry – From jockeys and stable staff to support personnel in hospitality and security, a significant portion of the 20,000 people who rely on racing for a living could be affected.
• Reduced prize money – With less revenue coming in, owners may have to lower the purse for races, making it harder to attract top talent.

The strike is therefore a last‑ditch attempt to force the government to reconsider or scale back the tax. The BHA’s statement released earlier this week said that the industry would continue to operate under “tightened budgetary constraints” until a “fair and sustainable resolution” is reached.

3. What does the strike look like on the ground?

Today, several major racecourses—including Newmarket, Cheltenham, Epsom and Wincanton—announced that some scheduled meetings will be “reduced or cancelled.” At Epsom, for instance, the spring meeting will run with only 25 races instead of the usual 30, and some of the smaller class races will be dropped entirely. The BHA said it would coordinate with the British Racing Drivers’ Association (BRDA) to limit disruptions to the “core racing calendar” while still showing its opposition to the tax.

In addition to race cancellations, the strike will see jockeys and trainers refusing to travel to races unless the tax dispute is resolved. Jockeys’ Association president, Katie Johnson, tweeted: “We’re standing with the BHA. If the tax isn’t brought in line, we will not ride for owners who are already under pressure.”

The strike has also spurred a flurry of activity on the social media front. Punter forums and betting sites are inundated with warnings that race‑day tickets might be sold at lower prices or that some online betting platforms might be forced to close due to the new duty.

4. Stakeholder reactions

• Government – The Secretary of State for Sport and the Chancellor have defended the measure as a “necessary step to ensure fair taxation of gambling.” A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that the racing sector would receive “special consideration” given its rural economic impact.
• Betting industry – Online bookmaker Bittrex issued a statement that it would “adjust its pricing model” but would not be able to fully absorb the cost of the new duty. “The increased tax will inevitably be passed on to the consumer,” said Bittrex CEO Mark Evans.
• Horse owners and breeders – A coalition of owners expressed mixed feelings. While many sympathise with the concerns of the racing community, they are also worried about the potential decline in breeding incentives if prize money and race frequency fall.
• The public – Some punters have taken to Twitter to question whether the tax is a “fair means of generating public funds” or an unnecessary burden on sports fans. A poll from the Betting Commission (which oversees the betting industry) indicated that 58 % of respondents were “unfavourable” to the tax.

5. The bigger picture – tax, sport and society

The Westminster betting‑news tax sits at the intersection of two key policy debates: the government’s drive to capture a larger share of gambling revenue and the need to protect a historic national pastime. The tax was framed as part of the wider “Gambling Duty Reform” initiative, which also proposes stricter licensing for new betting shops and increased advertising restrictions.

Proponents argue that the extra revenue will support health and social care services, especially important as the UK continues to recover from the pandemic. Critics, however, point out that the racing sector already suffers from dwindling attendances and rising costs. They claim that further financial strain could accelerate a decline that has already started.

6. What could happen next?

Industry analysts predict that the strike will last until the government either announces a “tax carve‑out” for the racing sector or introduces a “graduated duty” that scales with the size of the venue and the number of races. The BHA has signalled that it will be willing to negotiate a “pro‑racing adjustment” that would cap the duty at 10 % for land‑based betting shops.

If the dispute drags on, the racing calendar could be reshuffled significantly. The BHA has indicated that it may be forced to shorten race meetings, combine classes or even consolidate racing “days” to minimise losses. The strike could also prompt a surge in “betting‑news” websites that provide odds and commentary outside of traditional bookmaker platforms, a move that could complicate enforcement of the new duty.

7. Bottom line

The British horse‑racing strike of today is a flashpoint that could reshape the future of the sport. The new Westminster betting‑news tax – a 15 % duty on betting revenue – has already begun to crack the industry’s financial foundation. As racecourses close, trainers cut, and jockeys walk out, the sector faces a crisis that may require both government concessions and industry resilience to survive.

For now, the world of British racing is holding its breath. Will Parliament step back to tweak the tax? Will the racing bodies find a way to keep the industry alive while meeting public revenue goals? The coming days – and weeks – will answer these questions, but for today, the hoof‑beats of a nation’s most cherished sport echo the frustration and uncertainty of a community caught between tradition and change.