'It's coming home to roost' - Mark Johnston says betting focus is costing racing

Mark Johnston has urged British racing to sell itself as more than a betting product or risk being similarly treated to online casino games when the UK government announces its new gambling regulations.

The trainer was responding to the views of John Gosden, who said the UK gambling review, which threatens to have serious financial ramifications, could be a "bullet between the eyes" for the sport.

"There's no point crying over spilt milk, but I've been saying forever we have far too much focus on betting," said Johnston. "I totally recognise how much we depend on it, but the way we sell racing purely as a betting product rather than as a sport is bad for us.