UK: Legality of horse racing on the highway
<p>Is there a specific law against the racing of horses on public highways?</p>

<p>The route of the A1304 from Newmarket to Six Mile Bottom has a long history of horse racing going back to its probable inclusion in the Long Course, at least as far back as the seventeenth century.</p>

<p>These days, of course, horse racing is more often carried out at dedicated race courses, usually on private land. However, the same route is now part of a regular cycle race.</p>

<p>I know that racing in a car is an explicit offence in UK law (at least I <em>think</em> I know that), but presumably this is only scoped to motor vehicles. A great number of cycle races take place on public roads throughout the country and this is presumably legal, maybe following various licences being granted.</p>

<p>If someone were to race <em>horses</em> along the A1304 from Newmarket to Six Mile Bottom, maybe as a reconstruction of the old Long Course race, would there be any specific law against them doing so?</p>

<p>Racing would likely be commiting an offence under the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/10-11/89" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Town Police Clauses Act 1847, Section 28</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Every person who in any street, to the obstruction, annoyance, or danger of the residents or passengers, commits any of the following offences...</p>
<p>[F23] Every person who rides or drives furiously any horse or carriage, or drives furiously any cattle</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Probably not explicitly.  In 2002 the BBC reported on travellers (gypsies) holding "Trotting" races on roads:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/series1/trotting.shtml" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/series1/trotting.shtml</a></p>

<p>The Hertfordshire Police said "It is not an issue for us here in Hertfordshire. They have a right to use the road as much as anyone else."</p>

<p>Note that the RSPCA was arguing for stopping the races on welfare grounds, and races at a full gallop might well be even worse.</p>

united-kingdom traffic animals