The horse racing industry wants to make itself heard. Horse trainers, breeders, jockeys, owners, farriers… Unite in the streets of Paris today to express their concerns about the future of their industry.
Why this demonstration?
In protest against the government's proposed additional taxation on horse racing betting. As part of the 2025 social security finance bill, the government presented an amendment aimed at increasing the tax on the gross proceeds of stakes from 6.9 to 7.5% for horse racing bets registered in the physical network , and from 6.9% to 15% for those taken online. Triggering the ire of the entire industry which calculated the cost of this surcharge at 35 million euros.
So much less money to redistribute to professionals and owners at the finish of the races. “The equivalent of one month without salary for professionals” argue the professional unions, highlighting their agricultural status.
In recent days, many deputies have stepped up to defend the assets and jobs of this economic sector, which is very established in the West. Tuesday, November 5, Minister of Budget and Public Accounts Laurent Saint-Martin declared to the National Assembly that the government had “gave a favorable opinion to a sub-amendment allowing taxation to be stabilized at 7% and not beyond. Whether for physical or online betting ». But the industry remains on guard, the use of 49.3 by the Prime Minister would imply the resumption of the initial amendments…
Will races take place this Thursday, November 7?
No, none in France. A first in France (outside of confinement). The industry wanted to send a strong message to the government. This “dead industry” day will cause the State to lose 2.25 million euros since 25 million euros are bet per day by bettors on horse races. And the state already collects a tax on the stakes.
Horse racing federations and professionals have organized themselves by ordering buses from Normandy, Pays de la Loire, the South-East… Direction Paris for a gathering at 12:45 p.m. at Place Denfert-Rochereau. The walk will begin at 1 p.m. The arrival will be at Place Vauban at 4:30 p.m. Between 5,000 and 10,000 demonstrators are expected. For some, this will be a great first. It is not at all a professional sector which has the custom of leaving its stables to demonstrate. But they see this as an opportunity to also make visible their atypical sector which has 29,000 direct jobs and generates a turnover of 9.3 billion euros for the PMU. Mario Luraschi, the maestro of equestrian acrobatics, should be at the head of the procession on horseback, followed by at least one tractor and the entire procession of demonstrators.
