Extend life of the Levy Board says Racing Authority chairman Sir Hugh Robertson

The life of the Levy Board should be extended, according to the man appointed to chair the body that was set to take over many of its duties from next spring.

Sir Hugh Robertson, who as sports minister oversaw delivery of the 2012 London Olympics, counselled the sport to be cautious about supporting primary legislation to bring about the second stage of levy reform and suggested the sport had more pressing issues to deal with.

Robertson was speaking at the Gimcrack Dinner at York racecourse on Tuesday evening, four days after politicians from both Houses of Parliament in effect blocked government plans to abolish the Levy Board from the start of April.

Levy Board looks set to continue after government reforms hit buffers

The Gambling Commission was set to take over the board's collection duties with a new Racing Authority, chaired by Robertson, taking responsibility for spending decisions.

That was to be done through secondary legislation, but a joint parliamentary committee last week objected on procedural grounds and told the government it would have to be done through primary legislation, raising the prospect of the Levy Board continuing after April.

The Racing Authority has been operating in shadow for some time and Robertson said "much has already been achieved".

However, following last week's decision, Robertson said the sport needed "a body to distribute the money collected under the new system efficiently and effectively".

"There is no other body that can do this apart from the Levy Board, so its life should be extended," he added, raising questions about what will happen to the Racing Authority.

Robertson told guests that the government appeared to be offering primary legislation though either a government or private members' bill to conclude the process.

"I would be cautious," he said. "Both types of legislation are amendable and anyone who heard the recent Westminster Hall debate on racing coalescing around animal welfare issues would understand the dangers."

He added: "Finally, I think that racing has more pressing issues over which it needs government support.

"We want to see the process concluded to capture income from overseas racing, need to find a solution to the issue of money lost from the FOBT reforms and, of course, have a number of as yet undefined issues resulting from Brexit – whichever way you voted!

"It may be time to see what further progress can be made without legislation – and move on to more pressing issues."Guests also heard a plea for owners to receive more recognition for their part in the sport.

Abdulla Ahmad Al Shaikh, the son of the Ahmad Abdulla Al Shaikh for whom Emaraaty Ana won this year’s Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes, praised British racing including its media coverage.

However, he added: "If there is one area where we believe there is room for improvement by the media in general it is in relation to the recognition given to owners and the role they play.

"The jockey will be celebrated and the trainer will be celebrated, but on most occasions the owner is not mentioned at all.

"All that is being asked is that the role and identity of the owner is referenced with the same amount of importance in the aftermath of a victory as the trainer and jockey."

He also questioned why more prize-money was on offer for some handicaps than Group races.

"I understand that it is not so straightforward and the funding of racing in Britain is tied up with the betting on the sport, but it is strange not to reward superior ability and it is hard to think of another sport that acts in this way," he added.

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