'This is a time for bravery' - Barry Hearn issues rallying cry for change

Legendary sports promoter Barry Hearn has called for British racing to embrace radical change, warning failure to do so could lead to a spiral of decline amid a bleak economic outlook.

Hearn is one of the most powerful promoters in sport, overseeing success in darts, boxing and snooker during 40 years in the industry, and has a racing interest through his wife Susan's Mascalls Stud, near Chelmsford.

He argued issues such as outdated attitudes, a lack of commercialism and failure to adapt to modern media underpinned the problems within British racing's management and suggested the sport would be financially "punished" for its failings in the coming months, with the recession and cost of living crisis adding further pressure on customers' disposable income.