Hopes for 'stronger relationships and increased understanding' as All Party Parliamentary Group visits Tattersalls

There was a valuable opportunity for political engagement last Thursday as the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock made a visit to Newmarket.

The group, which included MPs Nick Timothy (Conservative, West Suffolk), Dan Carden (Labour, Liverpool Walton) and Jack Rankin (Conservative, Windsor) as well as Baroness Harding, Lord Herbert and Baroness MacIntosh, took in John and Thady Gosden’s Clarehaven Stables, the British Racing School, the National Stud and the Tattersalls February Sale.

They were given presentations by Tattersalls finance director Caroline Scott along with the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association’s chief executive Claire Sheppard and Kevin Needham, chair of the Racehorse Transporters Association.

The visit was organised by the British Horseracing Authority along with the TBA with both organisations represented during the day. Sheppard highlighted the increasing costs and difficulties facing small breeders in Britain along with the declining number of horses being bred.

Scott highlighted how changes to employer National Insurance contributions, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance, Agricultural and Business Property Relief will significantly impact the industry. She also emphasised the international economic importance of the racing and breeding industry to Newmarket and the threat of residential overdevelopment. Views were also expressed regarding the East West Rail consultation and the threat of large-scale infrastructure projects in close proximity to Newmarket.

Tattersalls was one of the stops on a busy day for the group in NewmarketCredit: Laura Green

BBA Shipping’s Needham spoke about the impact that recent changes to documentation requirements and European Union laws on the transport of equines was having on the thoroughbred industry along with the potential challenges that the potential closure of Stansted as a transport hub would have.

Sheppard said: "We were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with members of the APPG to showcase how British breeding contributes positively to both the national and local economies and highlight how the sector drives inward investment, supports employment in rural communities, and has a significant positive impact on the environment.

"With thoroughbred stud farms in 215 parliamentary constituencies, and/or farms who have produced thoroughbred foals across the country in the last two years, the breadth of our industry is substantial. It is vital that parliamentarians understand the challenges British breeders are facing, and we hope that our discussions have fostered stronger relationships and increased understanding. This will enable the TBA, BHA, and Tattersalls to call on a broader base of MP support when advocating for the industry's needs with the Government."

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony added: "We were delighted to welcome the APPG members to Tattersalls and engage in meaningful discussions about the key issues impacting our clients and industry. Ensuring that the racing and breeding communities have a voice in Parliament is crucial, and it is vital that MPs gain a clear understanding of the challenges we face."

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