Why British horse racing is set to take unprecedented action - with clear message to the chancellor

For Tom Marquand, taking a day off racing is a "big deal".

The self-employed jockey has had one day's rest in seven weeks crossing Europe, maximising earnings.

But all of British horse racing will fall silent on Wednesday for an unprecedented day of strike action.

Shutting down is the sport raising the stakes with the government in the latest battleground over the budget.

There are dire economic warnings if proposals are advanced to harmonise tax on gambling online into a single rate. It would increase the 15% tax paid by bookmakers on racing bets online to the 21% paid by online casinos and games.

The British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) has forecasts claiming more than 2,750 jobs will be at risk in the first year if the policy is pursued - with a £330m revenue hit in five years.

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