Eddie O'Leary: Ireland is being treated like a second-rate citizen on Racing TV

Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstown House Stud claims Ireland is being treated like a second-rate citizen on Racing TV, calling the channel’s coverage of Saturday’s action from Gowran Park a "disgrace".

He also insisted on Monday that a second channel to cater for Irish racing is badly needed.

There was criticism on social media in the wake of RTV failing to show the mares’ bumper at Gowran, despite many subscribers paying €31 a month for the channel.

A high-class beginners' chase was joined halfway through and a split-screen was in use for the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase won by Monalee.

O'Leary said: "I usually go racing myself but I couldn’t on Saturday so was relying on Racing TV. I was shocked at the coverage. It was terrible, a disgrace.

"There was a high-class beginners' chase I was looking forward to seeing. I waited and waited and waited for it, and presumed there was a delay at the start, but the race was half-over by the time they decided to show it.

Eddie O'Leary: unhappy with Racing TV's coverage of Irish racingCredit: Patrick McCann

"As for the bumper, they didn’t bother showing that at all. There I was waiting for the race to start and the result flashes across the screen.

"I was at Navan yesterday and it was all anyone could talk about. Irish racing is being treated like a second-rate citizen and it is not good enough. We were the anchor tenants on At The Races and now look at us.

"From what I've seen of Racing TV so far, it's like sitting in a betting shop. They go from race to race to another race. It's boring. What is the point in having great presenters like Gary O’Brien, Kevin O’Ryan, Kate Harrington and Donn McClean when we never hear from them? There are no stories being told any more."

He continued: "We're going to drive everyone away from Irish racing instead of attracting new people. It can't continue like this. We need to insist on a second channel for Racing TV to show Irish racing. That simply must happen."

Gary O'Brien has switched sides, joining Racing TV from At The RacesCredit: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Former amateur jockey Jane Mangan, who has become a regular on RTE’s racing coverage, was another disgruntled viewer on Saturday and believes the omission of the bumper spoiled a decent effort from RTV's production team on what was one of the busiest Saturdays on the calendar.

Mangan said: "I thought Racing TV made a very noble effort all day. It was a very busy day and they did the best they could with what they had.

"But they spoiled all that good work with what happened in the bumper. They showed the hunter chase from Haydock, then they showed the replay, then the horse coming back into the parade ring, and then they interviewed Sam Waley-Cohen.

"By the time they got to Gowran the bumper was over – they interviewed David Dunsdon [winning jockey] without showing the race!

"On a normal day when they have two presenters at the track the coverage is very good and their pictures are of a very high-quality, but it's frustrating when things like Saturday happen."

She added: "People need to acknowledge Racing TV is going to be showing Irish racing for the foreseeable future and we need to get behind it. Hopefully a repeat of what happened on Saturday won’t occur."

RTV is in the process of reviewing Saturday’s output and will continue dialogue with the BHA and HRI about the planning and management of race times to improve scheduling. It is also worth pointing out that Saturday was Ascot's last appearance on RTV.

A Racecourse Media Group spokesperson said: "Saturday was an action-packed day with four afternoon fixtures – including a nine-race card, two eight-race cards and a seven-race card – and an eight-race twilight card. The afternoon fixtures ended up overlapping with the twilight fixture due to the extra races run as a knock-on effect of equine flu.

"As it turned out, we showed the finishes from 39 of the 40 races across the five fixtures, with the unfortunate exception of the final race from Gowran Park. We usually adopt a common-sense approach to when there are clashes, but at one point we had four races in 15 minutes, which is far from ideal.

"Racing TV members can access a racecourse-dedicated feed via Racing TV Extra, available on the website and apps, when the schedule becomes congested like this, but we accept that not everyone has access."

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