Government urged to avoid 'irreversible damage' to British racing after crowds swell in first half of 2025

Keir Starmer's Labour government has been urged to heed the warning of the "irreversible damage" the proposed 'racing tax' could do to Britain's second-best attended sport, a popularity illustrated by figures released on Wednesday that showed a five per cent increase in crowds for the first half of 2025.

A report released by the Racecourse Association (RCA) for the first six months of the year showed total attendances had increased to 2,430,225 across 704 fixtures, up from 2,314,458 spectators across 695 meetings in the corresponding period last year. There was also a 3.66 per cent boost in the average attendance, with last year's figure of 3,330 upped to 3,452.

The numbers highlighted a strong and popular sport enjoyed the length and breadth of Britain, and were published amid the backdrop of the impending threat of the 'racing tax'. 

• Online portal launched to help back the sport's 'axe the racing tax' campaign - here's how you can get involved

Modelling commissioned by the BHA suggests the sport's already under-pressure finances could be hit by at least £66 million if the 15 per cent rate levied on racing and sports is harmonised with the 21 per cent duty on online games of chance. The forecast is even starker if the tax rate was increased to 40 per cent with a £160m annual hole in lost income through the levy, media rights and sponsorship.

That would be devastating to racecourses and, with the Treasury's consultation on harmonising online gambling duties closing on Monday, RCA chief executive David Armstrong added his voice to a booming chorus from a sport desperate to avert such a catastrophic disaster.

"It would be remiss not to address the ongoing campaign to axe the racing tax," Armstrong said. "Racecourses are fighting hard to maintain the sport’s position as the second most attended in Britain, and these attendance numbers are a clear sign that our efforts are having a positive effect.

"However, if the harmonisation plans go ahead and racing’s arguments are not heeded, this will severely limit the ability of racecourses to market and host racedays at current levels."

He added: "Government must take note of the popularity of horseracing and what it stands to lose if irreversible damage is done to our sport."

The boost in on-course attendances has owed a lot to excellent performances in the second quarter, with a comparatively disappointing Cheltenham Festival offset by strong performances at both Aintree's Grand National meeting (+4.1 per cent) and Royal Ascot (+4.8 per cent), contributing to an overall increase of 115,767 racegoers through the gates over the first six months of the year.

There were just 32 abandonments in the first half of 2025, an improvement on 56 in the same period 12 months ago, and while the wet weather was pointed to in mitigation of last year's half-year figures, the warmest April, May and June ever recorded by the Met Office contributed to a substantial lift, while the sport's marketing campaign The Going Is Good was also mentioned by Armstrong.

"I am pleased to see the half-year attendance returns demonstrate a strong period of growth," he said. "Underlying trends have been positive for some time, and it is reassuring that they have begun to manifest into firm numbers.

"A 5.1 per cent overall increase is a major achievement during this testing time for both British racing and the wider economy.

"This of course is not something which occurs overnight. Racecourse teams have worked tirelessly to develop the marketing and operational plans to promote and host these events.

"While the campaign is in its early phase, I think the impact of the sport’s national campaign The Going Is Good is beginning to be seen. I look forward to seeing how it progresses into the third quarter of the year alongside natural highlights in the calendar, including multiple Group 1 Flat racing festivals, the final Classic and the new jump racing season."

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Racing TV has created a template letter than can be used to email local MPs about your concerns over the 'racing tax'. Follow this link to access the template – it should not take more than a couple of minutes to complete.