With the Budget approaching, BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea has written in today’s Sun an impassioned plea to the Government to consider the unintended consequences for racing of an increase in Machine Game Duty. The full piece is below.

If something is to last for more than 350 years, it must be special.

It must grip people like few other things can. It must bind families and communities through shared experiences and memories. It must be able to move you.

Racing does that. The racehorse does that. It’s why thousands continue to flock from around the world to iconic arenas like Cheltenham, Aintree and Ascot to be thrilled by the thoroughbred in full flight.

Our racing is internationally renowned and one of the greatest British success stories.

While it may be known as the Sport of Kings, given its unique and enduring link to our Royal Family, its popularity is uniquely universal.

What else reaches every level of society like racing? Whether you follow daily or dip in occasionally, most of us have a racing memory in our lives. For thousands, it has provided a livelihood. For others, it has fostered a deep affection for the horse and its brilliance. And for some, it is a treasured memory of picking a Grand National winner.

The Prime Minister knows this. Born in the same parish as Aintree, the home of the Grand National, and representing a constituency that includes Haydock racecourse, he has witnessed first-hand racing’s value as a leisure activity and its ability to bring people and communities together.

But once again, this shining jewel in Britain’s sporting crown is at risk of being dimmed by a Government policy that could deal a crippling blow to our sport.

The Treasury is understood to be considering an increase in duties on high street bookies from 20% to 40%.

That will have a devastating impact on betting shops, with independent modelling predicting the closure of three quarters of bookies and the loss of 28,000 jobs.

In that scenario, the Treasury’s tax take from betting collapses by one third.

But the Government needs to recognise that racing will also suffer significant collateral damage.

The sport will lose out on the media rights that shops pay to broadcast races. And we will see the money returned to racing via the statutory Horserace Betting Levy slump.

The loses could amount to £92 million a year – almost a third of the £350 million racing receives annually from the betting industry.

Jobs will be lost and the sport, along with its standing on the world stage, will be dealt a significant blow.

British racing supports 85,000 jobs across Britain. Many of those are in areas where employment opportunities would be severely limited were it not for racing.

Many of those jobs go to young people who may have struggled in mainstream education but who then find racing gives them new and rich career options.

It surely cannot be the intention of a Government committed to growth in every postcode to introduce a policy that will cost jobs.

At last year’s Budget the Government acknowledged the importance of racing by exempting it from an increase in online betting taxes.

The sport was grateful for the recognition. Considering that, it seems even more important that the Government understands the unintended consequences of a tax hike for racing.

It’s been more than 350 years. Don’t ruin it now.