Horse Racing: British One-Day Strike!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
British horse racing is holding an unprecedented one-day strike on 10 September 2025, as a protest against the government's proposed tax rise on betting on the sport, which, it is claimed, would cost millions of pounds sterling in revenue and lead to thousands of job losses.
As a result, there will be no racing in Britain, and leading jockeys, trainers and owners will be lobbying MPs at Parliament in Westminster.
Normally, the only so-called ‘blank days’ on the British racing calendar take place at Christmas.
In Britan, horse racing is the second-biggest spectator sport after football, with more than 1,400 race meetings a year, and it is feared that increased costs for betting operators would lead to less promotion and sponsorship of the sport, worse odds and reduced bonuses for customers, thereby making betting on racing less attractive and potentially turning people towards the black market.
However, some MPs believe that increased taxes could help to fund welfare spending and tackle harmful gambling.
No more strikes are planned at present, but further action has not entirely been ruled out.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
