The UK's Racecourse Media Group (RMG), which produces and distributes horse racing as a broadcast product, has unveiled extensions through 2033 – covering both audio-visual and data rights – with 33 UK racecourses.
The extensions encompass streaming (watch and bet), direct-to-home broadcasts, terrestrial TV, and both betting and non-betting international rights, as well as data rights covering both pre-race and race day itself.
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The deals are five-year extensions, as the existing rights agreements with these 33 racecourse shareholders – disclosed in mid-2021 – had been due to expire at the end of 2028.
The contract renewals have been announced the day after RMG's new chair, Nigel Railton, formally took charge on October 1.
The racecourses involved include tracks managed by the prominent Jockey Club organization, as well as York and Goodwood, and 16 "small, independent racecourses."
As such, the agreement means some of the most significant events on the UK horseracing calendar will continue to fall under RMG's remit for the next seven years.
Nick Mills, RMG's chief executive, commented: "As a business wholly owned by its racecourse shareholders, every pound of profit generated by RMG is returned to racecourses, helping to support prize money, facilities and investment across the sport. These renewals provide a strong platform from which we can continue growing revenues and maximising returns on behalf of our shareholders."
Railton will formally succeed incumbent RMG chair Conor Grant on November 1, thus ensuring a one-month handover process.
Grant, who had headed up RMG since October 2023, announced his departure in mid-April.
In terms of RMG's overseas operations, meanwhile, last November it renewed its contract with the Dubai Racing Club to provide production and distribution services for events at its Meydan Racecourse for the next three years.
Jim Mullen, The Jockey Club's CEO, added: "RMG has consistently delivered significant value from media and data rights for more than two decades, helping to unlock revenues from the betting and broadcast sector in a way that few other sports have achieved. Those returns have supported investment in prize money, racecourse facilities and the overall customer experience across our venues."
