Farmers to rally at Newbury Races against IHT plans

Farmers across Berkshire are gearing up for a unique show of solidarity against the UK government’s planned farm inheritance tax (IHT) reforms, which many fear will devastate the agricultural community.

On Saturday (22 March), more than 100 tractors will gather at Newbury Racecourse in a powerful demonstration of the farming sector’s fight to reverse the UK government’s planned changes to farm IHT policy.

The “Bring Your Tractor to the Races” event, which is being organised by the Berkshire Farming Club with the racecourse’s support, aims to protest the introduction of a 20% levy on inherited agricultural assets, set to take effect in April 2026.

See also: Farmer action on IHT continues at Norfolk racecourse

Caroline Graham, a fifth-generation farmer from Newbury and a spokesperson for the club, urged local farmers to participate.

“If you know a farmer in the area, get in touch with them as they will explain how to get discounted tickets,” she said.

“If the government’s farm inheritance tax policy is implemented, it will devastate farming and the countryside as we know it.”

This event is more than just a rally – it’s an opportunity to engage with the public and showcase the vital role of agriculture.

Racegoers will have the opportunity to sit inside tractors by the showring and take photos.

John Day Engineering, a local agricultural machinery dealer, will showcase both a vintage and a new Case tractor, with the classic model provided by the Denton family of Newbury.

Haynes Bros will also feature a JCB Fastrac.

Farmers driving their tractors to the racecourse will also contribute to farming charities, with collections held on the day for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) and the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies).

Event televised

The race event, which will be shown live on ITV1, will feature the tractors parked in the middle of the racecourse for all viewers to see.

To ensure the event runs smoothly, tractors are asked to arrive between 9:30am and 11am, entering via the A339 by Burger King.

But places should be booked in advance – farmers must not just turn up in their tractors without prior permission.

In return for participating, farmers will receive two complementary tickets, as well as access to a premium grandstand and a free bacon roll and hot drink upon arrival. 

This rally comes on the heels of a similar event at Fakenham Racecourse in Norfolk, which also showed support for the fight to overturn the farm IHT reforms.

For more details or to book a tractor, farmers are encouraged to contact email tim@woolleypark.com.