Blank Day of British Racing

It is of course a 'first' in modern day British racing today, with no racing taking place to show unity against proposed government plans to increase the betting tax in the autumn budget, as part of a campaign aimed to axe the racing tax.  This is to help show how seriously every sector of the racing industry is worried about the sport's financial future.  Racing fears the 15%tax currently applied to sports betting will be raised to the 21% applied to casino if not higher.  A host of people who are associated with our sport and work in racing will be at Westminster today to press the case for the government to re-think the policy which will cost an estimated £330 million in lost revenue to the industry over the next five years and therefore putting thousands of jobs at risk.  

Fingers crossed today's strike will be listened to by the government.  We are also being asked to support the campaign by signing the Axe The Racing Tax Petition.  It doesn't take a minute and you can sign it by following the link https://www.change.org/p/axetheracingtax-back-british-horseracing?redirect_reason=guest_user

We are also being asked to write to our local MPs and you can find more details and a template to use to write to your local MP here: https://emailyourmpnow.co.uk/

There is some racing action today however as in Ireland they have a flat card at Cork.  If you are interested in International racing as well there is a meeting in Hong Kong which gets underway at 12.05pm our time and in France they have some jumps action at Compiegne.  

Many congratulations to my colleague Chelsea and her husband Simon on the birth of their baby boy on Monday.  They welcomed Archie into the world on his due date weighing in at 8lb 6oz.  Mum and baby are doing well and we looking forward to meeting Archie very soon.  

England apparently put in their best performance yet under manager Thomas Tuchel to beat Serbia 5-0 last night and took a giant stride towards World Cup qualification.  The Republic of Ireland lost 2-1 away to Armenia while Norway won 11-1 at home against Moldova! 

Weather permitting, there is an England Twenty20 match this evening as they are due to play South Africa at Sophia Gardens starting at 6.30pm.  Fingers crossed the rain does not get in the way of this match.  

What gets wetter the more it dries?

Answer tomorrow, yesterday's answer - a clock!

Have a good day!