'They will be between £13,000 and £14,000' - trainer's energy bills to quadruple

Rod Millman concedes challenging times lie ahead after learning that his energy costs will more than quadruple from £3,000 per year to more than £13,000.

The dual-purpose Devon trainer, successful with Singing The Blues in the female amateur jockeys' handicap at Ffos Las on Friday, has sent out more than 30 Flat winners this year, including Cuban Mistress in Newbury's Listed St Hugh's Stakes.

Millman was speaking after Friday's announcement by Ofgem, the energy regulator, that the energy price cap would rise by 80 per cent from October, the highest cap on record.

"We're shortly going on to a new contract for our energy, and the annual cost has gone up from £3,000 per annum to between £13,000 and £14,000," Millman said.

"Obviously it's a significant rise to our costs. It will be the same for our staff – they've got houses too.

"We don't know how we will cope with the extra costs, but we will do so. We've got a strong business and will be able to ride it out, but we'll have to make a few changes.

"I must admit that we've all got better in turning the lights off since we saw the new contract! It's definitely made us more efficient around the place."

Ofgem announced that the price cap for the average household in England, Scotland and Wales would increase from £1,971 to £3,549 for the three months beginning in October.

The cap will come into effect for around 24 million households on default energy tariffs on October 1, and will remain in place until December 31, when it will be adjusted again.

There is widespread speculation that energy bills could double again by April next year, with the cap rising to more than £7,000.

Rod Millman pictured with popular Sergeant Cecil, the Group 1 and major handicap heroCredit: Edward Whitaker

Millman, who enjoyed considerable big-race success with Group 1 and major handicap hero Sergeant Cecil between 2003-07, added: "It's a big problem for everyone. I was talking to one of my owners the other night, and it was incredible to hear the amount of extra costs he's going to have to pay due to the energy bills rise."

Fellow trainer Ed Walker said: "Costs are going up for every business. That is life and we're going to have to make it work somehow. It won't be easy, but we'll get there."

Newmarket handler Charlie Fellowes said: "It's another added cost that is going to make life even tougher. It's not ideal but there is nothing we can do about it."

Trainer Mick Appleby said: "It's not great but there's not a lot we can do about it. Our electric has gone up. We usually pay about £1,500 a month but it's gone up to £3,500 a month. We still function but it reflects in your profit.

"We haven't put fees up or anything but if it carries on we might have to. It's a horrible time at the moment – there'll be a lot of people going out of business."

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