Punters' interests ignored and abused in funding clash

Racing sometimes talks about bookmakers being its most important customers, but that's simply not true. The sport's most important customers are punters, without whom little of this sport would exist.

That's why it's so troubling that it appears the interests of the betting public have been ignored and abused in the current funding clash between racing's rulers and bookmakers.

This column has previously voiced concerns about the ABP scheme's efficiency and long-term impact, but no-one could dispute its intention to secure the sport's long-term funding was right and admirable. Yet it now appears punters have been used as leverage in the fight between racing and betting with little regard for the consequences.