Fakenham to switch to Racing TV from May 1 in boost to RMG portfolio

Fakenham has joined the Racecourse Media Group (RMG) meaning that from May 1 all meetings at the Norfolk venue will be broadcast on Racing TV rather than Sky Sports Racing.

The popular jumps track is renowned for its excellent prize-money but has struggled with small fields at some meetings this season.

The deal means the track becomes a shareholder in the RMG business until December 31, 2028. With the addition of Fakenham, Racing TV will now hold the rights for 36 of Britain’s 59 courses from next month although it is due to lose Newbury from January 2024 after the Berkshire track revealed it intended to switch to Sky Sports Racing last summer.

Martin Stevenson, RMG chief executive, said: "RMG and its 34 racecourse shareholders are delighted to welcome Fakenham Racecourse to the RMG family.

"The racing from Fakenham will further strengthen our output, and we very much look forward to working closely with David Hunter and his team on all aspects of their media and data workstreams."

'Now is the right time for Fakenham to make a change'

The first meeting under the new deal is a six-race card on May 3, which features the Norfolk National – one of the highlights of the course's season.

Fakenham chief executive and clerk of the course, David Hunter, said: "We are excited to be joining RMG and to be in partnership with many other like-minded small independent racecourses, alongside the larger independents and Jockey Club Racecourses.

"We have an excellent relationship with The Racing Partnership, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing which goes back many years and we are very grateful to the many successful years we have partnered with them.

"However, my board of directors feel now is the right time for Fakenham to make a change and we believe joining the RMG family will ensure Fakenham will continue to provide good quality grassroots National Hunt racing with good prize-money."

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