Like many other businesses today, the British horse racing industry is struggling from the recession. Living close to Newmarket, it is  something I enjoy from time to time with my family. I find the culture and varied backgrounds of its enthusiasts fascinating.

I didn’t realise that 7,000 local jobs were dependent on this industry, so it was a very appropriate issue for Jeremy Hunt as Shadow Secretary of Culture, Media and Sport to focus on during his visit to Newmarket to launch the Conservative Eastern Region European Campaign launch yesterday.

Along with MEPs Geoffrey Van Orden and Robert Sturdy, and candidate Vicky Ford, he met key figures from the horse racing industry, including trainer Sir Michael Stoute, and Louise Kemble, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

The horse racing industry is particularly concerned about drastic cuts to BBC coverage which could affect sponsorship. Jeremy can be seen here on video talking about his plans to contact the BBC to plead their case.

This is what he said:

“This is an industry that has six million people every year who go to the races. It employs 80,000 people throughout the country, but the real concern is that without TV coverage, they can’t reach the wider audience that is so critical to the success of British racing.

“Because I cover not just sport, but also the media, this is an issue I will be taking up with the BBC to make sure that they give this really important industry the support that it needs.”

What do you think the odds are on Jeremy being successful?