Future of British Horseracing — [Carolyn Harris in the Chair]

There were 254 horse deaths in racing last year and 641 instances of recorded whip abuses. The sector needs to show that horses are valued as beautiful animals, not expendable assets.

Horseracing in the constituency of Ely and East Cambridgeshire faces threats from gambling affordability checks, bioenergy plant closures, planning policy issues, solar farms, speculative developments like Forest City, and land use challenges. The speaker asked the Minister to monitor financial risk assessments introduced by the Gambling Commission closely to prevent unintended harms. She also requested talks with colleagues in DEFRA and DESNZ to help small bioenergy plants that are vital for horseracing. Moreover, she expressed concern about solar farms near breeding studs as they require a calm environment.

British horseracing is a global leader but needs strong leadership from the Government and industry to protect its future. The author declares his interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on racing and bloodstock. The hon. Member makes two outstanding points regarding the importance of horseracing and its economic impact, highlighting the support from various trainers and journalists. Dan Carden highlighted the importance of horseracing in employing up to 100,000 people and attracting significant investment. He raised concerns about affordability checks implemented by a quango outside parliamentary scrutiny and stressed the need for better regulation to combat illegal gambling. He also noted the decline in thoroughbred breeding due to financial challenges.

Ms McVey urged the Government to abandon any form of financial risk assessment or affordability checks in relation to the betting industry due to their ineffectiveness and negative impact on player protection. She also requested that the Government ignore a policy suggestion from the Social Market Foundation to double the tax on category B gaming machines, arguing it would devastate betting shops crucial to horseracing's funding. I appreciate that the Minister might not be able to answer some of the very specific questions I raised, so could she make sure that the Gambling Minister writes to me with the answers?

He congratulated the hon. Friend on her speech and highlighted that big betting companies are reducing their sponsorship in horseracing due to recent changes to the tax regime, which was not intended but is happening now.

Horseracing is a British cultural institution and economic success, with over 5 million annual visitors. The industry supports over 85,000 jobs and generates £4.1 billion annually. However, the betting turnover has fallen from £11 billion to £8.5 billion, raising concerns about the sport's future health. Kempton Park racecourse is under threat from housing development, which would negatively impact the Epsom horseracing community. Additionally, 254 horses were killed in racing and 641 whip abuses recorded in 2025.

He thanked the hon. Friend for her advocacy for horseracing and noted that the horserace betting levy has helped courses such as Uttoxeter for over 60 years, but some of the levy does not go to racecourses in the same way similar levies do in European countries. He asked if the Horserace Betting Levy Board should give more support to courses like his.

The loss of a racecourse impacts not just the racing world but also the community hosting it, both in direct and indirect employment.

Mr. Shannon emphasised the importance of British horseracing to the economy and community, but also highlighted the need for robust player protections against gambling addiction. He called on the Minister to ensure that gambling harm prevention remains at the heart of national policy and committed to working with the sector to protect vulnerable individuals. Intervened to highlight the achievements of Anthony Peter McCoy from Northern Ireland who is considered one of the greatest National Hunt jockeys with 4,358 winners and crowned British champion for a record 20 consecutive years.

Horseracing brings passion, pride, patriotism, and opportunities for young adults through institutions like the National Horseracing College.

Louie French highlighted the impact of weakening green-belt protections on British horseracing and expressed concerns over planning reforms affecting racing venues like Kempton Park. He emphasized the economic significance of horseracing, noting its £4.1 billion annual contribution to the UK economy, supporting over 85,000 jobs. The MP also raised issues regarding the Gambling Commission's affordability checks, which could lead to a reduction in betting turnover and push bettors into illegal markets. I think we are beyond this "he said, she said" about what happened in previous Parliaments. The commitment from the previous Government was clear that these checks must be frictionless.

She declared herself a member of the APPG on racing and bloodstock and highlighted Doncaster's long-standing connection with horseracing. She noted that horseracing contributes more than £4.1 billion to the UK economy, supports 85,000 jobs, and is the country's second largest spectator sport. She also raised concerns about illegal betting activity increasing significantly in recent years, which deprives the industry of vital levy income and creates serious integrity risks.

Bath racecourse is Britain's highest flat racecourse and adds to the community through races, family events, and sporting activities. It benefits the city beyond horseracing alone. She pointed out that British horseracing gets lower returns from the gambling industry compared to France and Ireland. She asked if betting levy reform did not deliver better support for the industry. Agreed that while the Government's intentions to tackle gambling addiction were commendable, much of the gambling activity now occurs on the black market. Suggested looking at gambling addiction as a public health issue and considering other reforms to support the horseracing industry.