Racing at 'crunch point' as trainers struggle with rising fuel and feed costs

Leading trainers fear that a "frightening" hike in fuel and feed costs will trigger rising fees for owners whose British trade body believe an extended cost-of-living crisis could have deep implications for racing with fewer horses in training.

Six-time champion trainer Nicky Henderson said he could be forced to raise fees for the first time in five years, while Alan King, who won the Arkle with Edwardstone at this month's Cheltenham Festival, described the situation as "severe", explaining how the cost of cereal, much of which comes from Ukraine, had more than doubled in two years.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, UK fuel prices have reached an all-time high with diesel averaging 179.3p a litre and petrol 166.3p, numbers of significance for trainers transporting horses to race across the country, while UK inflation has reached a 30-year peak of 6.2 per cent.