'Racing will not sit quietly by while our future is placed in jeopardy' - BHA chair and leading trainers issue rallying cries on pivotal day

British racing will come to a collective halt on Wednesday as the industry seeks to unite behind one simple message to the UK government: axe the racing tax.

In an activity defined by competition – by the attempt to best your rivals – such unity among the participants is rare, even before you account for the different financial interests which make up the sport's power structures. But everyone from racing's rulers to the valets who look after the jockeys will essentially down tools. 

In doing so, they will attempt to highlight the serious threat to the sport's financial future posed by Treasury proposals to harmonise the levels of duty applied to racing and sports betting with those levied on online slots and casino games. Racing fears the 15 per cent tax currently applied to sports betting will be raised to the 21 per cent applied to casino, if not higher. 

Racing's day of protest:

• Why is there no racing in Britain on Wednesday? The 'strike' explained 
• 'I've lobbied Rishi Sunak and when the chips are down, the sport pulls together' - racing's boots on the ground anticipate pivotal day 
• Why the Racing Post front page is going dark to mark the racing strike  

A host of racing's great and good will attend a campaign event in Westminster where they will press the case for a rethink to a policy which would cost an estimated £330 million in lost revenue over five years, and put thousands of jobs at risk.

Lord Allen has only been chair of the BHA since September 1, although he has been assiduous in acquainting himself with the various headwinds that buffet the sport ever since he was first confirmed in the role last November.

Created a Labour peer during Ed Miliband's time as leader of the opposition in 2013, Allen is unequivocal in his opposition to the proposed harmonisation of tax rates.

"British racing has taken the unprecedented step of stopping racing for a day because the threat posed by this proposed racing tax hike is nothing short of an existential threat for our sport," said Allen. 

“I fully support this bold initiative which has only been made possible by an extraordinary collective effort across the industry, led by the BHA, and I applaud the efforts of all involved. It shows the great strength of feeling and unity within the sport and demonstrates that racing will not sit quietly by while our future is placed in jeopardy."

Such is the gravity of the situation – coming as it does on the back of the financial hit delivered to racing by affordability checks – that political principles are being shelved in favour of the most direct means of expression available 

Six-time champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson might have been typical of such a view when he said: "I prefer to think of this as a protest rather than a strike because I'm not basically in favour of strikes as a blunt instrument, but under the current circumstances I fully understand it. Someone has got to get this heard in government and in the right corridors."

Henderson's Seven Barrows stables are the beating heart of Lambourn, a training centre which employs thousands, both directly in stable staff and Jockey Club groundstaff, as well as feed merchants, farriers and vets. There is also a considerable indirect impact on shops, pubs and other service providers in the 'Valley of the Racehorse'.

Nicky Henderson: "It's great that everyone's behind it"Credit: Edward Whitaker

"I'm not necessarily a person who thinks striking is the best way of solving problems, but given everything that is happening I totally get it," said Henderson. "We've got to get our message through and therefore let's go with it. It's great everyone is behind it."

What is a threat to Lambourn must weigh just as heavily in the minds of employers and employees in Newmarket, British Flat racing's HQ.

"It is only natural to worry about the impact on the communities built up around our sport, such as here in Newmarket," said trainer William Haggas. "Any significant decline in racing’s fortunes would be utterly devastating for this town, which is a dreadful thought."

Special reports:

• Affordability checks, the levy and tax - how government policy and gambling regulation have hit racing's finances 
• 'Why are you risking all of this?' - racing's enormous economic and social contribution to the UK

Sir Mark Prescott is the longest-serving licence-holder in the town and believes that, while the message a blank day sends to the government is crucial, the feeling of bringing everyone in racing together on the subject is just as vital.

"I think it’s very important to show your own troops that you're invested," said Prescott. "I think that’s what we learned from other marches and other campaigns. It does as much to organise your own people, to convince them how much it matters.

"They need to realise that they can’t just wander around and think it’s unimportant. That’s a tremendous benefit."

Sir Mark Prescott: "I think it does send a message and it focuses minds"Credit: Edward Whitaker

The ultimate aim of taking such a radical step is to give Treasury officials and government officials a sense of just how seriously everyone in racing takes the issue. 

"Whether you can change policy, I don’t know, but I think these events can influence how governments behave," said Prescott. "It’s important for our own troops, and I think it does send a message, and it focuses minds."

Dan Tomlinson MP,  the exchequer secretary to the Treasury, reaffirmed the government position that no announcement had been made with regard to tax harmonisation.

"The chancellor has been clear that speculation on tax rises, which is what this is, is not only inaccurate, but also irresponsible," said Tomlinson. "We have not announced an increase in the tax on horserace betting, and racecourse betting currently gets a 100 per cent tax break, which we have no plans to change.

"We know horseracing is part of the cultural fabric of the country, that’s why it’s the only sector that benefits from a government-mandated levy. Our wider gambling consultation is only about levelling the playing field and simplifying the system, and we are working closely with the industry to understand any potential impacts."

Of course trainers will still be out on the gallops for first lot before 7am, while thousands of stable staff and stud grooms will give just as much care and attention to their horses as on every other day of the year. But with the action absent on the course, the way is clear for a very important message to be delivered off it.

Read more:

'This would be the third part of a triple whammy' - BHA chief Brant Dunshea on why racing must be treated differently in tax fight 

British racing to cancel all meetings for one day in extraordinary strike over proposed gambling tax rise 

Why is there no racing in Britain on Wednesday? The 'strike' explained 

Write to your MP about the Racing Tax

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.