Nicky Henderson backs strike action in gambling tax protest

Nicky Henderson feels racing has “little choice” but to press ahead with unprecedented strike action as the sport mobilises against the proposed gambling tax amendments.

The British Horseracing Authority announced a pause in all racing fixtures on September 10, with cards at Lingfield, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton rescheduled in a statement against the Treasury’s proposed move to unify the current three-tax structure of online gaming duties into one rate.

The industry anticipates the potential tax increase to have a profound negative impact on racing’s finances and Henderson, a leading figure in the sport and the trainer of many great National Hunt horses, sees strike action as a justified step.

“I am not necessarily a person who is favour of using strikes as a tool, but the message has got to get across that this tax could be crippling,” he said.

“It is not a weapon I would ordinarily suggest we turn to, but under the circumstance I would say we probably have little choice.”

Fellow trainer Jamie Osborne was in agreement, backing the strike action with the long-term health of the sport in mind.

He told Racing TV: “I’m pleased to see we’re attempting to get on the front foot. Trainers are busy looking after their own micro-situations and we often don’t have time to get involved in the macro scenario, but the impact for all of us within the sport if this occurs is immeasurable.

“It’s just not as one-dimensional as people think it is. I think there is nothing wrong with the sport attempting to separate itself from sports betting – let them paddle their own canoe, let them make their arguments. We already have the 10 per cent levy that they don’t have. We are in effect taxed at a higher rate than sports betting.

“One thing that mustn’t be lost in this argument, and Government should bear this in mind, is the soft power the sport gives us internationally and especially in the Middle East.

“I think if they underestimate they risk damaging the sport and risk taking away that power. I think that would be a mistake.”