Why there will be no horse races Thursday November 7 in France

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The serial of surcharge project of the horse racing betting knows about multiple twists and turnsfrom withdrawals to reintroductions of amendments until the announcement Monday October 28, 2024 of the return of this increased taxation according to the wishes of the government which must find additional sources of revenue.

But the horse racing sector through its betting already gives 860 million each year to the State, while around 330 million euros remain for the sector to fund the 16,000 races (trot and gallop) organized each year in France. by supporting 40,000 to 60,000 direct and indirect jobs in the territories, particularly rural ones. The latest version of the surcharge in the finance bill is estimated at between 35 and 50 million euros.

“Dead industry day”

After this announcement, the socio-professional representatives, meeting on Wednesday October 30, decided to make Thursday November 7 a ” dead sector day », with the organization of a manifestationin the streets of Paris, for which authorizations and the route must be submitted in the coming hours to the Prefecture.

The meeting point would probably be Les Invalides and buses would leave from the different regional federations in France. “A consensus emerged on this mode of action of a dead sector day, therefore sans courses », explained Stéphane Meunier, the president of the SEDJ (Union of coaches, drivers and trotting jockeys), to our colleagues at 24h au trot.

Not running is a strong signal that we want to send to the State. A day without shopping is equivalent to two million euros in direct revenue which will not go into its coffers. This will also allow everyone who wants to participate in this demonstration called “We march or we die”.

Big demonstration

Thibault Lamare, who was already the standard bearer during the demonstration in Bercy on March 29, 2017 against the FDJ live-betting project, is once again “the designated spokesperson” by the associations and unions in the sector horse racing. In a video, he “calls on all people passionate about racing to participate on Thursday November 7 in the major demonstration aimed at protesting against the overtaxation of horse racing betting”.

“What is regrettable is that horse racing betting is mixed with all traditional betting while we have a unique model in the world, recognized everywhere with a sector based on the concept of pari-mutuel betting whichbrings in more than 2 million euros per day to the Stateit's still extraordinary. And, alongside that, through a text, we seek to destroy it, as was originally planned in the first draft which reduced resources by 80 to 85 million. A step has been taken, it is now 30 to 35 million but this remains unacceptable,” declared Olivier de Seyssel, vice-president of the SETF and farmer.

To take advantage of the bus which will leave Normandy on Thursday, contact Gilbert Langelier on 06 88 71 42 46

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