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Racing leaders point to 'perfect storm' behind plunging attendance figures

Crowds were steeply down in Britain in May
Crowds were steeply down in Britain in MayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Senior racing figures are refusing to panic in response to a shocking fall in attendances at British racecourses last month and cite the cost of living crisis as the main factor.

Attendances in Britain last month were almost a third below pre-Covid levels. The average gate was 2,951 compared to 4,179 for the same month in 2019, the last time there were no coronavirus restrictions.

It is the latest bad news for the sport, which has also been hit by declining field sizes, something that will have impacted walk-ups, "particularly among committed racing fans and punters", according to one executive on Wednesday.

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David CarrReporter

Published on 29 June 2022inNews

Last updated 19:55, 29 June 2022

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