Irish racing set to stay on Racing TV until at least 2029

Irish racing will remain on Racing TV until at least 2029 after SIS and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) won the bidding war for a five-year contract, allowing them to continue to show pictures from all 26 of Ireland’s racecourses.

Horse Racing Ireland's media rights committee announced on Tuesday evening that Sports Information Services and RMG were the preferred bidders following a tender process for the sale of Irish horseracing's media rights for a five-year period from 2024 to 2028.

At The Races lost the rights to show Irish racing at the end of 2018, but Sky Sports Racing were believed to be back in the race for the latest contract. That bid has proved unsuccessful and the status quo will remain until the end of 2028 at the very least.

Leading jumps trainer Gordon Elliott has come out in support of the decision and said he has been impressed with the quality of coverage on RTV since they began showing Irish racing in 2019.

Elliott said: "I think it's a good move and I'm pleased to hear the news. The broadcasters on Racing TV are second to none and I have to say any time I'm not at the races and watching from home I do enjoy the coverage.

"They now seem to have a presenter on site for every meeting and I don't think there is too much more they can do to promote the sport. I'm a fan anyway."

Gordon Elliott: 'I think it's a good move'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien said of the news: "It's vital for the industry that Irish racing is being brought into homes up and down the country and it's obviously good news that Racing TV will continue to do that going forward.

"I'm a big fan of both Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing and they both have excellent presenters who do an incredible job in showcasing Irish racing."

HRI's media rights committee – the chairman of which is Punchestown CEO Conor O'Neill – will now enter into a period of exclusivity during which negotiations will take place to finalise the proposed agreement which needs to be approved by the racecourses and HRI.

At the start of 2019, At The Races' main Irish-based presenter Gary O'Brien switched over to Racing TV, as did Kevin O'Ryan, while the Irish broadcasting team on the channel currently includes Ruby Walsh, Fran Berry, Donn McClean, Jane Mangan, Kate Harrington, Lisa O'Neill and Johnny Ward.

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