National Steeplechase Association Live Stream Available Again In 2022

Beginning with Aiken and Cheshire this weekend, National Steeplechase Association fans will again have the opportunity to catch the real-time excitement of all 16 sanctioned meets on the spring calendar.

But in a break from the past, the stream will be available by paid subscription only.

You'll still be able to access the stream easily through www.nationalsteeplechase.com, shortly before first-race post time. Once you click on the live stream link, you'll be directed to enter your e-mail address and provide payment information.

The cost to access each meet is $12, or a discounted $120 for the entire Spring lineup. Payment will also allow viewers to watch replays on demand any time for up to 48 hours following the meet. After that, free video replays will be uploaded to the NSA web site, as usual.

The rationale for the switch to a pay model is twofold. The effects of the pandemic resulted in two years of devastating financial challenges to the meets on the NSA circuit from lost ticket and tailgating sales, and sponsorships. The NSA has hired a professional market research firm, Indianapolis-based Mandolin, to identify the demographics of those who watch the live stream and analyze their viewing patterns to develop an enhanced product that better meets everyone's needs.

As part of the agreement with Mandolin, the company will share the data it collects with the individual race meets. In turn, the meets can use that valuable information to attract potential sponsors, promote their events, sell merchandise, and otherwise generate interest via a customized landing page on Mandolin's web site.

In announcing the partnership, NSA President Al Griffin explained: “For several years, we have been trying to unlock the full potential of what the live stream has to offer to the entire steeplechase community. It's a work in progress. We believe that our relationship with Mandolin will enable us to achieve this goal. It's an investment in the long-term health of our races as we will be able to have a better understanding of our fans, grow that base, and help our race meets develop an untapped revenue source that is so badly needed.”

As in 2021, the live stream is sponsored by Brown Advisory, the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation, Charleston's Post & Courier, and the Virginia Equine Alliance.

The post National Steeplechase Association Live Stream Available Again In 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Arrests in France on Doping, Crime Charges

Twenty-three people remained in custody Tuesday night after searches took place in racing stables throughout France, Italy and Spain, according to a report in Wednesday's Jour de Galop, which reported that those held come from “every racing discipline,” who are being investigated for equine doping, organized crime, and association with criminals, the paper reports.

While the JDG listed several of those arrested, none came from the Thoroughbred discipline, but were all National Hunt or trotting trainers.

They said that the investigation has been ongoing for a year, and was launched at the initiative of the Central Service of Racing and Gaming's specialized interregional entity located in Bordeaux. And while it bears a striking resemblance to the Rossi affair just three months ago, the paper says the two are not linked.

Stephane Piallat, the head of the Central Service of Racing and Gaming, told the JDG that the raids were launched in the early morning hours Tuesday. “The operation, which took place Tuesday beginning at 6 a.m., is unprecedented in its scale. It took place in France, Spain and Italy and is the result of a one-year investigation. Several simultaneous raids were launched, with 80 policemen mobilized. There were several searches,” which yielded results, he said.

“Twenty-one people in France are in custody, and two more in Italy and Spain. The investigation centers around racing—trotting and non. It is too early to say if it also involves (other) equestrian sports. Veterinarian, pharmacists, owners, trainer, jockeys and some of their relatives were arrested.”

The JDG reports that jumps trainers David Cottin, Pascal Journiac, Lub Gabeur, and Junior Gulepa, and trotting trainer Yannick Alain Briand are among those detained. Piallat told the JDG that these cases and the arrests made among the Rossi family in their training center in Marseille in December had “nothing to do with one another,” and were the result of two separate sources.

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