Published: Thursday, 29th July, 2010 9:29am

Racing bosses and MP join forces to tackle funding squeeze

MUSSELBURGH Racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth insists the East Lothian venue will run a full schedule of meetings in 2011, despite the British Horseracing Authority's (BHA) decision to delay publication of next year's fixture list.

The BHA last week announced it was postponing publication of its 2011 fixture list due to uncertainty about the income it receives from the Horserace Betting Levy (HBL), which has suffered dramatic declines recently.

Many racing stakeholders believe that bookmakers and betting exchanges are ultimately responsible for the delay, as a result of the majority accessing loopholes to avoid providing fair funding to the sport via the levy.

The BHA fixture list is traditionally completed each year by mid July.

The delay in the publication means jockeys, trainers, racecourses, stable staff, farriers and others directly involved in racing groups are unable to plan for 2011.

In addition to the thousands of full-time workers in the sport, the impact of the delay will also be felt by those who work indirectly within racing, through industries including catering and hospitality.

In response to the BHA announcement, county MP Fiona O'Donnell met with senior figures from Scottish Racing in an emergency meeting at the local racecourse to discuss future funding of the sport.

She said: "The Horseracing Levy is in need of radical reform to ensure a fair return to the sport. Racing shouldn't suffer as a result of the betting industry looking to maximise profits.

"In Parliament, I have asked the Minister what action he plans to take against bookmakers who avoid contributing fairly to horse racing through moving their business offshore or placing bets on betting exchanges."

Describing the delay as a "huge inconvenience", Mr Farnsworth confirmed there was no threat to jobs or races next year.

He added: "The uncertainty of when we will be racing next year is a huge inconvenience and prevents racecourses like Musselburgh putting in place all the groundwork that is needed to prepare for the new season.

"However, the racing industry has to make a stand and the bookmakers and the Government must understand the current level of funding is unsustainable.

"This short term pain is a price worth paying if we can secure an agreement which will protect the racing industry and reverse the chronic underfunding it has suffered from in recent years."

The betting industry is set to respond to racing and the Levy Board this month. Should the parties not reach agreement by the end of October, then the matter will be referred to the relevant Secretary of State to decide.