Henderson and Nicholls among those buoyed by Budget news

Nicky Henderson says the decision not to harmonise betting tax has helped racing avoid “a really bad situation” in the future.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves opted to leave duty on racing bets unchanged at 15 per cent in the Budget, following a campaign from the within the sport against the idea of raising tax to be in line with other forms of gambling.

Henderson was among those to add his voice to the ‘Axe The Racing Tax’ movement and was delighted to see the action, which included a one-day strike in September, help yield a positive result.

He said: “I’m encouraged by the government’s decision to shield racing from higher taxation. It will help protect jobs in places like Lambourn, where so much of the community is reliant on the sport. The Chancellor has shown that she appreciates how important racing is to Britain and I believe her actions will help avoid what could have been a really bad situation for our sport.”

While tax on racing bets was not altered, duty on other sports bets made online will rise to 25 per cent, while remote gaming duty, paid on online casino betting, will rise from 21 to 40 per cent, and 14-times champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls appreciates the exemption.

He said: “Racing isn’t just a sport; it’s a complex ecosystem that supports thousands of livelihoods, from training yards and feed suppliers to horse transport companies and racecourse staff.

“The government’s decision to carve out racing from tax increases provides British racing with a meaningful boost and I’m pleased they have listened to the industry’s concerns. We can all now look forward to what’s going to be an excellent jumps season.”

Leading Flat handler William Haggas was another to welcome the news.

He said: “This is a sensible and welcome decision from the government which will be appreciated by everyone involved in racing.

“Many trainers are under severe financial pressure, so it’s encouraging to see a decision that supports the finances of the sport and helps allow places like Newmarket to continue to thrive.”