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British Racetracks Battle Call for Changes

SCOTLAND – As reported by the Edinburgh Evening: "It's not often that politicians from different parties agree, but a rare accord in recent days came as the country's horseracing industry faces a dog-eat-dog future.

"A recent diktat from the Office of Fair Trading stated that because the British Horseracing Board controlled the racing industry and governed its fixture list it was indulging in restrictive trade.

"The OFT wants the fixture list opened up, forcing individual racecourses to compete head-to-head, hold meetings when they like and let the industry's future be decided by market forces.

"…But the might of the entire British racing and betting industries are lining up to battle the OFT's plan for a fixture free-for-all, and the racing industry north of the Border is playing a leading role in that fight.

"Representatives from Scottish Racing (SR), the umbrella body behind racing north of the Border, last week held talks with the country's politicians, securing cross-party support from a debate initiated by Susan Deacon, the Labour MSP for Musselburgh and Edinburgh East.

"…But the view by bureaucrats that the BHB's grip on racing is anti-competitive could have devastating effects for not just Scotland's five courses but the whole of Britain's racing industry.

"…The industry argues that because horseracing is a sport as well as an industry, it cannot be governed by the cut-throat, price-driven principles that work well in sectors such as retail…"

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