Yesterday's decision backed up the surprising verdict of the European court of justice in the same case, delivered last November, which effectively decided that bookmakers can use data such as the names of runners and riders free of charge.
Another problem for the BHB is that a number of bookmakers, mostly based in Ireland, are already paying for pre-race data under licence, reports the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
Last year, those fees amounted to almost £13million, and though the BHB insists no refunds are due, a court case due to be heard in Dublin later this year could put that claim to the test.
Should the BHB lose and be ordered to repay monies already received, it seems possible that racing's ruling body would be insolvent, the Guardian reports.
