Talks on racing securing £40m government assistance 'moving smoothly'

Racing remains on course to tap into significant financial assistance from the government, even as the effects of lost revenue from crowds, levy and media rights continue to bite during the long coronavirus crisis.

That is the message from Racecourse Association chief executive David Armstrong, who is leading negotiations on behalf of racing with authorities including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as well as Sport England, the agency tasked with administering the government's £300 million Winter Survival Package.

A total of £40m was earmarked for racing when the fund was announced last November, making it the second largest beneficiary across English sport after rugby union, while £1m was also promised to greyhound racing.