Racing makes preparations as FOBTs cut highlights pressure on prize-money

When Arena Racing Company (Arc) announced before Christmas it was reducing its contribution towards prize-money in 2019 it sent a shudder through the sport in Britain. Now those cuts are starting to be implemented, sparking a further wave of concern and criticism.

It is the first sign of belt-tightening as British racecourses face up to the prospect of falling income from high street bookmakers caused by the government's decision to crack down on FOBTs.

Prize-money is the fuel that keeps the sport going but British racing is relatively impoverished compared to its international peers. In 2016, the Racehorse Owners Association found more than 80 per cent of lapsed owners cited the expense of owning as a reason for quitting, while more than 60 per cent mentioned poor prize-money, making them the two most commonly cited reasons for leaving the sport.