Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you’ll find a selection from this evening Racing League fixture at Southwell.
Horse Racing’s Shrinking Share: A Threat to the Sport’s Future
Once upon a time, horse racing ruled the betting shop. When high street betting shops were legalised in 1961, racing dominated. In the 1970s and 80s it wasn’t just the most popular market — it was the market. Racing made up over 90% of a bookmaker’s daily turnover. The sport couldn’t lose while that situation remained. Sadly, 40 years ago no one realised what was around the corner.
The picture looks very different today. The rise of televised football, the internet, and online casinos shifted the balance. Back in 2011, I spoke to one of the head honchos at Sky Bet who told me that racing’s share of online betting had already dipped under 50%.
Fast forward to today and William Hill’s numbers show horse racing makes up just over a third of their revenue. More widely, the Gambling Commission puts racing’s Gross Gambling Yield at £771m for 2023/24, down from £1.18bn just two years earlier.
That slide matters. The sport still draws big crowds at Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, and York’s Ebor Festival, but in revenue terms it’s now just a supporting act – a third of sports betting and shrinking.
The danger is obvious. If horse racing becomes less valuable to the major bookmakers, its bargaining power weakens. Levy returns, media rights deals, and sponsorship all hinge on betting strength. Without it, the sport’s funding model comes under real pressure.
Horse racing once bankrolled the bookies. Now it risks being sidelined by them. The sport needs a stronger levy, a smarter use of media rights and a sharper focus on engaging the next generation of punters. More on the latter in tomorrow's column.
Without reform, racing’s financial decline will only accelerate – and the consequences will be felt across every racecourse in Britain.
Saturday Highlights: Sandown
After looking at Beverley and Chester on Wednesday, today the spotlight switches to Sandown for the weekend’s main meeting. The two standout contests are the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes (2.25) and the Group 3 Solario Stakes (3.35).
Rain and possibly a fair bit is being forecast. We really need it but it will make punting tricky if it does arrive and changes underfoot conditions. I’ll be waiting until nearer the time before I get involved in a bet this Saturday.
Atalanta Stakes – 1m
Blue Bolt is chasing four in a row after landing a Listed race over C&D 56 days ago. She’s progressive, and this step into Group 3 company looks a natural move. If conditions stay good or quicker, the 9/2 on offer could look generous – but she’s unproven on slower going, which would temper confidence if the rain did arrive.
Suite Francaise, who was third to Blue Bolt here, has since made the most of a bold front-running ride to win a Listed race at Haydock. If she’s allowed similar tactics over this track, which can suit prominent racers, she’s a danger.
The Ascot form also comes into play – American Gal and Chantilly Lace filled second and third in the Group 3 Valiant Stakes and both have ground versatility in their favour.
Spiritual would be dangerous if getting her own way in front, as she did when winning a Group 3 at Epsom on Derby Day. Meanwhile, Flight hasn’t built on her 1,000 Guineas second but drops in class, and Oisin Murphy takes the ride.
Solario Stakes – 7f
This looks an intriguing juvenile contest.
Publish won his C&D maiden impressively 37 days ago and, as a son of Kingman, is open to plenty of progress. His yard won this last year with Field Of Gold, so he’ll be popular.
Debut winner Zanthos made a good impression at Newmarket 21 days ago, clocking a good time and shaping like there’s more to come from her.
Charlie Appleby’s record in the race is good – three Solario wins since 2017 – and he had Pacific Avenue and Wild Desert among Monday’s entries. The former struck on debut at Newmarket in June, while the latter is more experienced and comes off a solid third in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes.
Thursday Free Tip
It’s the closing round of the Racing League at Southwell tonight. I’ve had my doubts about the whole concept and integrity issues remain – but I’ve taken the time to study this evening’s card and found a few I want to have a bet on.
If you want this evening’s Racing League selections and for the rest of the month you can get them here.
Here’s the first of them:
Southwell – 5:45 Handicap (1m 4f)
Cotswold Cottage made all for a much-improved win at Ffos Las (1m1f) 23 days ago. She’s up 7lb for that clear-cut success but looks the type to improve again now upped in trip. The step to 1m 4f should suit, and while it’s her first go on Tapeta, there’s every chance she handles it. Lightly raced and in the hands of promising trainer Faye Bramley, she can defy her new mark.
Cotswold Cottage – £2 win – 12/1.
Good luck with your Thursday bets,
John