All betting and media rights across retail and digital channels are covered under the agreement, with racing continuing to be shown on the Racing TV channel and in betting shops via the SIS service. The Coursetrack system will also be utilised in order to provide live, in-race timing information at the Essex course, which is set to become the first venue in Britain to stage both turf and all-weather racing under floodlights. Substantial capital improvements are also planned, including an £85-million multipurpose grandstand.

Director of racing, Neil Graham said, “We are looking forward to working closely with SIS and RMG to strengthen our existing racing programme and to work on new initiatives. These deals give us the certainty by supporting ambitions for the racecourse to be bolder and more ambitious in its plans going forward.”

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In May, 21 of the racecourses agreed to the deal, with Kilbeggan, Roscommon, Sligo, Limerick and Thurles Racecourses rejecting it. This week, discussions were held with AIR and the HRI Media Rights Committee, which resulted in the quintet of outliers agreeing to the proposal.

Chairman of AIR, Conor O'Neill said, “Firstly, I would like to commend and compliment the executive of AIR and HRI who have supported the Media Rights Committee to ensure that the very best deal in the marketplace has been obtained for Irish Racecourses and indeed the wider industry. I can confirm that Kilbeggan, Roscommon, Sligo, Limerick and Thurles have decided to join the other 21 racecourses today and sign that deal. Furthermore, I look forward to working SIS and RMG now and seeing it come to fruition.”

Horse Racing Ireland, CEO, Suzanne Eade added, “This process has been exceptionally thorough and has delivered a superb deal for all 26 Irish racecourses. Horse Racing Ireland will be working closely with all racecourses and our media rights partners SIS and RMG to maximise the future revenue streams under the new deal.”

On behalf of the five racecourses who signed today, Pierce Molony said, “Having satisfied our principal objectives, UIR has agreed to sign-up to the current media rights deal negotiated between HRI and RMG/SIS. In particular, the membership of UIR is pleased by HRI's willingness to implement a proposed memorandum of understanding for racecourses during future media deal negotiations, and a review of media rights, as referenced by the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, on 1st June last.”

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This new agreement is for a period of five years beginning in 2024.The HRI Board welcomed the unanimous approval of the AIR Board for this deal and the authorisation for AIR to conclude contractual arrangements for 21 of its 26 member racecourses. The completion of the sale of the media rights for 21 racecourses as well as HRI's data rights for all fixtures will now be progressed in timely fashion. The United Irish Racecourses (UIR), comprised of Kilbeggan, Limerick, Roscommon, Sligo and Thurles rejected the new media rights deal earlier this week. HRI will be writing to the quintet of UIR racecourses separately.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of HRI, said in a statement, “To maximise the value of the media rights on behalf of racecourses and the industry, the HRI media rights committee engaged experts to provide a comprehensive valuation of the rights of Irish racing and to assist with the production of an extensive invitation to tender. While the process has been lengthy, the benefits will be significant as it has resulted in new media rights arrangements, approved today by the HRI Board, which represent an extremely positive deal for all Irish racecourses.

“Based on future growth projections, it is hoped that the total value [of Irish media rights] could grow by an estimated further 50% by 2028.

“The outcome has been a long-term deal which will underpin the financial viability of racecourses until at least 2028 and has been unanimously approved by the media rights committee, the board of HRI and the board of AIR.

“Whilst the terms of the media rights arrangements cannot be revealed for confidentiality reasons, the Joint Bid by Sports Information Services (SIS) and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) clearly offered the best financial proposition for Irish racing media rights across all the packages on offer, which was independently validated by an expert third party.

“This will see the overall percentage of the total revenues received by racecourses growing progressively over the next five years. The income flowing to racecourses will be distributed on an open, transparent and equitable basis, with each racecourse receiving revenues largely derived from the betting turnover on their respective individual fixtures.

“There are significant safeguards built into the new arrangements for racecourses with each venue guaranteed its 2022 average per race income in 2024. An easing-in provision has also been included for the first three years of the new deal to assist smaller racecourses as the model moves to a turnover basis. Virtually all racecourses are forecast to achieve higher revenues in 2025 than at present.

“HRI is extremely concerned that confidential information pertaining to the existing media rights arrangements appears to have been disclosed in breach of the strict confidentiality terms within the existing contract. It is deeply regrettable that confidential and commercially sensitive information within the proposed contractual arrangements for the future rights also appears to have been disclosed. HRI will continue to respect the confidential basis on which the bids were made.

“Much has been said in the media of the HRI earnings in this media rights agreement but without acknowledging that the earnings go directly back to developing the industry, assisting racecourses with capital development grants, paying for other racecourse supports and contributing to the funding of additional fixtures which provide opportunities for owners, trainers, jockeys and all industry participants. HRI has always been conscious of the role it plays in the industry and has consistently listened and reacted to the concerns of racecourses of every size in consecutive rights negotiations.”

To read Eade's full statement, please click here.

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At a groundbreaking general meeting of the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) held at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, the five members of the United Irish Racecourses (UIR) voted against the five-year deal worth €47 million.

That means that the five tracks–Kilbeggan, Limerick, Roscommon, Sligo and Thurles–are now free to negotiate their own separate deal, presumably with Arena Racing Company, which could pave the way for Irish racing to return to Sky Sports Racing in 2024. 

The current deal, which is due to expire at the end of this year, is with Sports Information Services [SIS] and Racecourse Media Group, which sees all Irish racing broadcast on RTV. 

It is understood that UIR received “an unsolicited offer” of €100,000 per fixture from Arc last year, but the five tracks now have to request HRI's media rights committee to negotiate another contract for them 

The new deal with SIS and RMG was given “preferred bidder” status last year by the Media Rights Committee, which consists of five executives from AIR and Horse Racing Ireland. 

However, the five tracks expressed their dissatisfaction with the deal back in January and formed UIR. The discontent stems from how the media rights are distributed by HRI and how the funding model favours the bigger tracks. 

Conor O'Neill, chairman of HRI's media rights committee, focused on the positives of the deal on Tuesday.

He said, “It's a fantastic deal and I'm delighted for the 21 racecourses who have signed up to secure it today. I would like to thank the board of AIR and our CEO Paul Hensey for their hard work and support. I would also like to especially thank our former CEO Paddy Walsh who has worked tirelessly on achieving the best possible deal for our members and the HRI media rights committee whose commitment has been extraordinary throughout the entire process.”

O'Neill added, “Although it's disappointing that it was not approved by all, today is a very positive day for the future of Irish racing, let's not take away from that. I look forward to continuing our partnership with SIS and RMG for the overwhelming majority of Irish racecourses, subject to the approval by the HRI board on Friday.”

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Dubai Racing Club's Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and RMG's agency HBA Media, have secured some of the biggest names in sports broadcasting to televise and live stream the day's events, include Fox Sports in the U.S., ESPN/Star+ in South America, SuperSport in Africa, Viaplay in Europe, Dubai Media and BeIN in the Middle East, and for the first time ITV, the UK's biggest commercial broadcaster. The races can also be watched live on board selected airlines and cruise-lines via the Sport 24 network.

“The Dubai World Cup will once again receive huge exposure from broadcasters all around the world, and we are particularly delighted that ITV–the UK's biggest commercial broadcaster–will show live action from Meydan Racecourse for the first time,” Major General Dr Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager of Dubai Racing Club, said. “We look forward to welcoming all the broadcasters and their audiences, both new and old, to the event and hope they enjoy one of the great sporting spectacles.”

Broadcasters covering the Dubai World Cup fixture include:
• Asia and Australia: Green Channel, Fuji TV (Japan); TVB, Cable, Now TV, HKJC TV (Hong Kong); STC TV (Singapore); Wasu (China); Sony Network (Indian subcontinent); FanCode (India); Racing.com, Sky Thoroughbred Central, Entain, (Australia); and Trackside (New Zealand)
• Africa and Middle East: SuperSport (Africa), Dubai Racing Channel, Yas TV and Bein (MENA)
• Americas and Caribbean: Fox Sports, TVG, NYRA, NBC (US); HPI (Canada); ESPN / Star+ (South America and Caribbean); and SportsMax (Caribbean)
• Europe: Viaplay (pan Europe); ITV (UK); Racing TV (UK, Republic of Ireland); Virgin Media (Republic of Ireland); Equidia (France); SilkNet (Georgia); TJK TV (Turkey); Setanta (Eurasia and Baltics); WeDo (Germany, Switzerland and Austria); and Polsat (Poland)

Additionally, Trans World Sport, the leading global sports magazine programme, will offer the fixture added exposure, as will CNN, which is covering the race for its World Sport programme. Reuters will also distribute the event to their networks of news outlets.ok

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Grant has 24 years of experience in the UK and Irish gambling sector, including 14 years in senior executive roles. He was most recently CEO of Flutter UK & Ireland, and, prior to that, was Chief Operating Officer of Sky Betting & Gaming.

The umbrella organisation for 35 British racecourses and the parent company of Racing TV, RMG is owned 100% by its racecourse shareholders and pays 100% of operating profit back to racecourses. In 2021, the shareholders were paid £110 million, and that figure will be exceeded for the media and data revenues generated in 2022.

Grant said, “I am delighted to be joining Racecourse Media Group at such an exciting time for the business and the broader racing industry. RMG has delivered outstanding results for its shareholders in recent years, and I would like to pay tribute to Roger who has done a fantastic job, along with CEO Martin Stevenson, in growing and developing the business. I look forward to working with the RMG team and continuing to deliver for all of our racecourses.”

Nevin Truesdale, CEO of The Jockey Club and Non-Executive Director on the RMG Board, said, “I am delighted to welcome Conor to the RMG Board and to be working with him as we further develop the business for the benefit of its shareholder racecourses. Conor brings significant and in-depth expertise to the industry, acquired over a long period of time, and this will help shape our strategies and address the challenges we are facing.”

Originally due to step down in 2022, Lewis was asked by the RMG Board to stay on through the transition. Independent Non-Executive Director Andy Anson will also be stepping down in April.

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• Musselburgh, Apr. 30
• Hamilton, May 14
• Beverley, June 11
• Pontefract, June 25
• Haydock, Aug. 6
• Sandown, Aug. 20

Steve Birch, Sky Betting & Gaming CCO said, “We're delighted to be able to announce the continuation of the Sky Bet Sunday Series into 2023. It's a been a hugely successful collaboration between ITV, RMG and Sky Betting and Gaming with a clear focus on making racing more accessible to a wider audience. Customer engagement and sentiment has been very good, industry feedback has been hugely positive, and we're really looking forward to working with racing to make the 2023 renewal more successful than ever before.”

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CNN will cover the race for its flagship World Sport programme, while magazine Trans World Sport will provide added exposure. Reuters will provide international coverage of the race, as well. ITV will provide coverage of the race via BFBS, which provides media services to the UK Armed Forces.

Dickon White, The Jockey Club's Regional Director for the North West, said, “The Randox Grand National is the biggest Jumps race in the world, if not the biggest race in the world, and merits a truly worldwide TV audience–which I'm delighted to say is exactly what we've got. I hope our extensive list of broadcasters, both new and old to the event, enjoy one of the great sporting spectacles.”

Among the list of TV broadcasters are:

• Broadcasters in North and South America, plus the Caribbean: TVG, NYRA (US); Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, HPI (Canada); ESPN Star+ (50 countries in Latin America, Caribbean) and SportsMax (32 countries in Caribbean).
• Africa, MENA and Sub-Continent: SuperSport (48 countries in Africa), Racing 240 (16 countries in Southern Africa), Dubai Racing Channel, Yas TV (both 17 countries in MENA), Sony Pictures Network (India)
• Asia Pacific: Sky Thoroughbred Central (Australia), Trackside (New Zealand), Green Channel (Japan, highlights), Wasu.TV (China, highlights)
• European broadcasters: ITV (UK); Racing TV (UK, Republic of Ireland); Virgin Media 1 (Republic of Ireland); Equidia (France); SilkNet (Georgia); NENT (Scandinavia), Polsat (Poland), Setanta (Baltics and Eurasia), SSport (Turkey)
• RMG's own TV channel, Racing TV, will also show the race in 10,000 pubs and clubs in the UK and Ireland.

Radio listeners will enjoy live coverage in the UK courtesy of BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT, while Racing TV Radio, which syndicates audio on behalf of Aintree Racecourse, will distribute to regional, national and international news stations.

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• UAE/Saudi Arabia–Twitter
• Selected airlines/cruiselines–Sport 24 network.
• S.–Fox Sports, TVG and NYRA will broadcast the live card and NBCSN will show highlights of the card in their racing programme.
• South America, Central America and Carribean will be able to view on ESPN (Star+) and SportsMax will cover the Caribbean, too.
• MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region will view the action from the Dubai Racing Channel and Yas TV (UAE)
• Japan-Green Channel and Fuji TV
• Hong Kong-TVB, Cable, Now TV and HKJC TV
• Singapore-STC TV
• Eclat will serve another 13 countries in South-East Asia, for the first time
• China-Wasu
• India-Sony Network
• Africa-SuperSport (sub-Saharan Africa), Sport 240 (South Africa)
• Australasia-Racing.com, Sky Thoroughbred Central (Australia), and Trackside (New Zealand)
• France-Equidia
• UK/Republic of Ireland–Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing and Virgin Media will also cover the latter
• Georgia–SilkNet
• Turkey–TJK TV
• Eurasia/Baltics-Setanta
• Scandinavia–NENT
• Germany/Switzerland/Austraia–Watch4
• Poland–Polsat
• Trans World Sport, a global magazine programme will also offer the fixture added exposure, as will CNN's World Sport programme;
• ITV will air content from the fixture within its live broadcast on Saturday in the UK
• Saudi TV will feature the event in a one-hour highlights show;
• Reuters will distribute the event to their wide networks of news outlets.

Major General Expert Mohammed Issa Al-Adhab, the General Manager of Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are delighted RMG and HBA Media has secured a record number of broadcasters from all around the world, including a number of first-time broadcasters. The unprecedented interest is reflective of the global appeal of the Dubai World Cup–one of the great occasions on the sporting calendar.”

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Chairman Roger Lewis, who will step down at the end of the year, said, “I thank and congratulate everyone involved in racing for their herculean efforts in 2021. The RMG racecourses ensured that horseracing continued for a second year in the most demanding of circumstances, which allowed RMG to deliver as great a return as possible for racing. The RMG model was again tested in 2021 and again proved to be resilient and reliable.

“The investment in, and development of, our media assets and new innovative products–such as the Watch & Bet service, ultra-low latency, on-screen timing data, the exploration of in-play opportunities, and enhancements on Racing TV, headlined by the stunning Virtual Studio–aided our recovery.

“These initiatives all contribute to the RMG strategy of attracting more eyes on to our racing which, in turn, drives betting turnover, subscriptions, and sponsorship opportunities in the sport. And this all feeds into the RMG vision of increasing returns to our racecourses for the benefit of the industry.

“The 2021 performance will mean that RMG will have delivered £1bn to racecourses since the start of the business in 2004. This is a testament to our racecourses' dedication and commitment to working together for the greater good of racing.”

A Boardmember of RMG since 2012, Lewis was appointed to the role of Non-Executive Chairman on Jan. 1, 2019. Lewis continues as Chair of the Churchill Lines Foundation, a military charity, a Director of Festival UK 2022 and President of the National Museums of Wales. He also sits on The Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Panel. RMG is currently searching for his successor.

He added, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my decade at RMG and have been humbled by the boundless enthusiasm and support that we receive from our shareholder racecourses.

“I am particularly pleased RMG was able to announce last July that our British racecourses agreed a media rights renewal extension until Dec. 31, 2028.

“This was a pivotal moment for British racing. The RMG racecourses have created business clarity and confidence for years to come. The certainty which this landmark, long-term agreement provides is very special for everyone involved in British racing.

“I pay particular tribute to the outstanding leadership of the RMG CEO, Martin Stevenson, who together with his great team of RMG executives navigated this complex and detailed process with rigour, patience and clear focus and who continue to lead the business with dynamism.

“I have been very fortunate to have worked alongside an outstanding Board of Directors and I sincerely thank them for their friendship, help and support and their incredible insight into the business.”

Martin Stevenson, CEO of RMG, paid tribute to Lewis, and said, “I would like to pay tribute to Roger, who during his tenure as first Board member and then Chairman, has been instrumental in the development and success of RMG and its businesses over the last decade.

“In particular, Roger has helped steer RMG through the pandemic, and all the huge challenges it presented, to the point where the business is now producing results, which were on a par with pre-covid payments to racecourses. That is a terrific outcome.

“I thank Roger for his leadership and friendship and for all that he has done for horseracing. We wish him all the best for the future once his tenure comes to its conclusion at the end of the year.”

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