The BBC are accused of ‘snobbery’ after axing their every day racing suggestions

The BBC have been accused of snobbery after taking the unnecessary decision to axe its daily racing tips from Radio 4’s Today programme. 

It has been a tradition for more than 47 years for tips to be read out at the end of the morning bulletins at 6.30am, 7.30am and 8.30am to audience of 5.7million listeners. 

Since 2017, the service has been a selection at two meetings. Mail Sport exclusively reported in January 2023 that BBC officials were considering doing away with the service and that talks had taken place about a route forward without them. 

But it was only on Monday morning that Amol Rajan, the Today presenter, revealed after the 7.30am bulletin that racing tips were being kicked into the long grass. 

The BBC stopped showing televised racing in 2012 and this move has parallels to August 2022 when they scrapped another of it’s institutions, stopping reading the classified football results on Five Live’s Sports Report. 

The BBC have been accused of snobbery after taking the decision to axe their daily racing tips

Radio 4’s Today host Amol Rajan (pictured) revealed that they will ‘reserve tips for the biggest days in the racing calendar’ – which lead to backlash from the Betting and Gaming Council

Rajan said: ‘There are no racing tips today as we’ve decided to break the tradition of having racing tips every day of the year. Instead, we’re going to reserve tips for the biggest days in the racing calendar.’ 

In response, Michael Dugher, Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: ‘It says a lot about the current standing of the sport at the BBC. Millions of people enjoy a regular bet. There’s definitely more than a hint of snobbery from the Today programme with this decision.’ 

The timing of this announcement is nonsensical. Last week, Royal Ascot’s attendance was in the region of 280,000 and the spectacular action was shown in 180 territories around the world. 

A spokesperson for the BHA emphasised: ‘Racing is the second-best attended sport in Britain and enjoys considerable media coverage. It is broadcast around the world and… is a cornerstone of our national and sporting heritage.’ 

The Jockey Club – which owns 15 courses including Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom and Newmarket – have provided the tips to Radio 4 for the past seven years and, understandably, there is disappointment the service has ended. 

A spokesperson said: ‘When the Today programme’s previous contributor ended their arrangement with the BBC in January 2017 we stepped in to provide the two tips each day to help promote horseracing as a sport which is fun and accessible for all. 

‘We have enjoyed working with Radio 4 and look forward to continuing to find ways to promote British racing via all of the BBC’s many platforms.’