IT may have seemed unfathomable even 10 years ago, that the sport - and to be more correct - the industry of horse racing could feel as threatened as it has over the last two years.

But in recent months, with the banning of greyhound racing in Wales, albeit a sport that had a lesser impact there, added to this week’s ruling on strong affordability checks being implemented for British punters, the headlines didn’t make for optimistic reading. GBNews were among the first media who ran with the headline - ‘The First Minister of Wales has refused to rule out’ banning the sport, continuing that: “Horse racing is at risk of being banned in Wales as concerns rise over one of the country’s oldest traditions being taken away.”