Horse racing is a notoriously factional sport. The interests of owners and trainers, for example, are quite different from those of racecourses and administrators. Even for those not in the saddle, the chafing can be painful. But on Wednesday, this dysfunctional family will unite to go on strike for the first time in the sport’s history. Scheduled meetings at Carlisle, Kempton, Lingfield and Uttoxeter will not go ahead: no horses, no jockeys, no bookmakers, no punters. Racing is shutting its doors.

Walk into any high street bookmaker and watch the desperate and the vulnerable feeding coins into the flashing maws of these machines; it has nothing in common with betting on horses. To tax both at the same rate is an insult

This unprecedented action, which is expected to cost the sport £200,

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