We have had a busy morning today. The majority of first lot headed over to racecourse side for a change of scenery. They stretched their legs down the Cambridge Road Polytrack and I was pleased with how everything went.
Sir Anthony Page-Wood and Mr James Stitt came to see Fair Head out third lot. She is a two year old filly by Iffraaj out of a Shadwell mare named Dawaama. Sir Anthony also part owns Trip To Paris and Chestnut Storm, an unraced three year old Rip Van Winkle filly. She has been entered into a Maiden Auction race at Kempton next Wednesday.
The story of today is undoubtedly the Government’s decision to look at replacing the Horseracing Betting Levy. They are looking at introducing a new mechanism to ensure that all bookmakers regardless of their domicile contribute towards it. This would then mean that profits from online betting on UK horse racing will also be taxable. There has been huge pressure on bookmakers recently with the introduction of Authorised Betting Partner Status given to those bookmakers who have agreed to pay contributions from all aspects of their UK horse racing business.
There has been slow progress as many bookmakers have been reluctant to agree to the terms that would enable them ABP status. If the Government forces their hand it will be fantastic for racing. Contributions to the new levy will be significantly higher than the current contributions and there will then be higher prize money available which will be very welcome news to the horse racing industry indeed. The Bookmakers are sure to challenge any new legislation and it may be a while until it comes into force but hopefully it will arrive as planned by April 2017.
Lastly I would like to congratulate Victoria Pendleton on her success yesterday. Making the running on a horse is not easy and the media coverage after Fakenham made her task yesterday even more difficult. She rode the horse very well and sat quietly at the fences, Pacha Du Polder was the perfect schoolmaster and if she goes to Cheltenham I hope she enjoys herself and has a clear round. Anything else would be a bonus. She has been excellent for the sport of racing and I hope that the media coverage will now be more positive towards her.