Racing needs help from Lord Allen but it also needs to help itself - and getting into bed with anti-gambling lobbyists is baffling

The news that Charles Allen has finally agreed to take over the reins as chair of the BHA next month should be good news for everyone who, like me, loves the sport. But when I last met with him in private, I did wonder why on earth he would want the job.

There are many impressive, dedicated people working at the BHA. But my years of negotiations with the BHA have only served to highlight how divided, dysfunctional and, frankly, deluded some of their member organisations are.

Racing faces fundamental challenges. Yes, it is the second-biggest spectator sport, but it is also a declining one. Last year, according to the BHA, the average attendance at racecourses was 3,404 (and that’s the average – the big meetings are effectively carrying the rest of the calendar). That’s a 14 per cent decline since 2019. To put it into context, even the fourth tier of English football boasts average attendances of over 6,200.