UK government blocks sale of Tote

Plans by a horse-racing consortium to buy the Tote were thwarted by the British government today.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it had not been able to reach an agreement with the group, which included race track owner Arena Leisure, Racecourse Holdings Trust – the arm of the Jockey Club that owns Aintree and Cheltenham – and the Racehorse Owners’ Association.