Drone wars above Cheltenham as in-running punters fight for advantage
This exclusive report is part of on occasional series focusing on integrity issues in the sport
A war is taking place for the skies above British and Irish racecourses with millions of pounds in betting and pictures rights on the line as racing attempts to defend itself against what it considers to be an epidemic of drones.
It is a battle which has next month’s Cheltenham Festival at its heart, with the prospect of several drone operators taking advantage of the meeting being behind closed doors to use the quick pictures their machines provide to gain a major edge when betting in running during the biggest punting week of the year.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inFeatures
Last updated
Copy- Top racing and betting books of 2025: must-reads of the year, from the perfect Christmas gift to tales of old-school punting
- The comeback kid and Cheltenham's first lady - how Bob Olinger and Rachael Blackmore proved the perfect couple
- Eat, sleep, report, repeat: back on duty and back on the naughty step at the Tattersalls December Sale
- Coole Cody: the old prize-fighter who put on a show for everybody and made Cheltenham his own
- Foxtrots, false starts and fumbles as racing stars channel their inner Strictly - all for a great cause
- Top racing and betting books of 2025: must-reads of the year, from the perfect Christmas gift to tales of old-school punting
- The comeback kid and Cheltenham's first lady - how Bob Olinger and Rachael Blackmore proved the perfect couple
- Eat, sleep, report, repeat: back on duty and back on the naughty step at the Tattersalls December Sale
- Coole Cody: the old prize-fighter who put on a show for everybody and made Cheltenham his own
- Foxtrots, false starts and fumbles as racing stars channel their inner Strictly - all for a great cause