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RMG, SIS Extend Partnership

Racecourse Media Group and Sports Information Services have extended their partnership by a further three years. This partnership encompasses the distribution and transmission of audio-visual and data from British racecourses to licensed betting offices across the UK and Ireland.

Martin Stevenson, chief executive officer of RMG, said, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with SIS for a further three years. LBO revenue remains an extremely significant media rights income source for RMG's racecourses. This deal will further increase the value of LBO rights by invigorating betting turnover via first-rate production and presentation of horseracing for the LBO audience. We look forward to working with SIS on new and innovative ways in which the quality content from our racecourses can be produced and presented, including the introduction of in-play betting on racing in betting shops. This deal guarantees quality, core content for bookmakers in UK and Ireland until 2026, while ensuring there is minimal 'leakage' from the sport, in line with RMG's ethos of returning its profits to the sport. We are very grateful to all the parties who expressed an interest with a range of compelling offers.”

Richard Ames, chief executive of SIS, added, “SIS is very pleased to extend the relationship we hold with RMG and are confident that this agreement will continue to deliver excellent value for racecourses and bookmakers with a collaborative approach to growing the value of horseracing. Winning this extension in a competitive situation is testament to the good work and excellent relationship that has been fostered between the companies over the last three years. I look forward to RMG's premium racing content being the cornerstone of SIS' racing services for many years to come.”

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Addeybb Eclipse Assignment Ground Dependent

Four-time Group 1 winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) traveled down the road for a racecourse gallop at Newmarket on Friday in preparation for next weekend's G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown, but trainer William Haggas insisted the 7-year-old gelding will only run if 'soft' is in the going description.

“He hasn't run since Sydney in April so it was nice to get him away,” said Haggas. “It wasn't trying to get him fitter, it was just a mental thing as much as a physical thing. When you are looking at summer racing you need to be lucky to get rain on the day to make it as soft as he likes it. Running in the Eclipse will depend on how much rain falls. There is a balance between keeping training him and not running him. That's difficult.

“We hope very much that it will be very soft for the Eclipse but I very much doubt it will be. If the word soft is in the going he will probably run as he needs to run. Good to soft is the quickest I would run him on.”

Addeybb recorded his first two Group 1 wins at last year's Sydney autumn carnival in the Ranvet S. and Queen Elizabeth S., and relished the soft ground when taking the G1 Champion S. at Ascot in October. Haggas insisted the chestnut's title-defending win in this year's Queen Elizabeth over good ground was down to his class.

“He loves travelling and really enjoys it,” the trainer said. “He had a great spell in Australia this year on ground that wasn't soft enough for him but he tries hard. If the conditions had been like they are here he wouldn't have run. He can't take too many races on fastish ground. Summer ground is not really for him. Summer soft is different to autumn and spring soft when it is proper soft so Champions Day is right up his street as he loves that heavy ground. We sort of have to work our season around that.”

Should the ground rule Addeybb out of the Eclipse, Haggas has an able stand-in in the form of Shadwell's G3 Hampton Court S. winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), whose ground preferences are quite contrasting to his elder stablemate's.

“It is very possible Mohaafeth could run as he wants quick ground so we will see,” Haggas said. “I've not worked him yet so we will see what he is like. He was very good at Ascot.”

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Tattersalls Ireland Postpones Sales

In light of the challenges of getting in overseas purchasers, Tattersalls Ireland will postpone its May and July Store Sales to Aug. 10 and 11, with the August National Hunt Sale following on Aug. 12.

The decision follows consultation with vendors and purchasers and is in reaction to the concern that overseas purchasers, in particular those from the UK, will be unable to visit Ireland without quarantine until July 19, as per the latest guidance from the Irish government. Tattersalls Ireland had facilitated about 100 buyers from the UK to visit this week's Derby Sale in a quarantine bubble, only to be informed by the authorities on the morning of the sale that the visitors would not be permitted to attend.

Tattersalls Ireland Chief Executive Officer Simon Kerins said, “In light of the enormous challenges faced this week with our loyal UK purchasers being informed at the 11th hour that they were not permitted to attend the Derby Sale, we have made the decision to move the May and July Store Sale to August. We feel that it is not in the best interests of our vendors or purchasers who have supported us with a quality selection of store horses to proceed with a sale in just over two weeks' time.

“It is expected that from July 19 the Irish Government will launch the EU's Covid-19 digital passport that aims to facilitate the movement of people within the EU and from that date, Ireland will also broadly align itself to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from third countries such as the UK. Specifically, from that date, if a passenger has valid proof of vaccination, no travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary. The Covid-19 landscape is fluid and constantly changing but it is of the utmost importance to us that there is no barrier for any purchaser coming to the sale, and we feel that can be best achieved by waiting for the changes above to come into effect.”

With regards to the company's flagship flat sale, the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, Kerins added, “A decision on the location of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale will be made early next week and we will continue to discuss all aspects of this with key stakeholders over the coming days before making a definitive decision.”

Last year's September Yearling Sale was staged in Newmarket.

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Border Issues Rule French Out Of Racing League

Issues surrounding COVID-19 and Brexit have ruled French trainers Philippe Decouz and Edouard Monfort out of the inaugural Racing League competition. The two trainers were due to comprise one of the 12 teams taking part in the six-meeting fixture starting at Newcastle on July 29. Four Newmarket trainers–George Boughey, James Ferguson, William Knight and Stuart Williams–will instead form a replacement side, with jockeys Nicola Currie, Marco Ghiani and Daniel Muscutt their appointed riders.

Olivier Delloye, chief executive officer of France Galop, said, “France Galop is disappointed that Covid and Brexit issues combine this year to mean the planned French team must withdraw from Racing League. However, France Galop strongly supports the initiative and will help secure a high-quality team of French trainers and horses to participate next year in Racing League.”

Jeremy Wray, CEO of Racing League, added, “It is a real shame that the French team can no longer participate in this year's competition due to restrictions and complications relating to Covid-19 and Brexit. However, we look forward to working with France Galop on France's participation next year, which will add a further international flavour to the competition and engage French racing fans with Racing League.”

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