Newbury to switch to Sky Sports Racing from 2024 after new deal struck

Newbury's live races will feature on Sky Sports Racing from January 2024 after the striking of a five-year media rights deal with The Racing Partnership (TRP) and the broadcaster.

The deal will begin from April 1, 2023, when TRP take over rights to distribute to retail betting shops and for the track's online media and data rights.

The dual-purpose track features key races including the Greenham Stakes, Lockinge and Hungerford Stakes on the Flat, while its portfolio of high-profile jumps prizes includes the Betfair Hurdle, Ladbrokes Trophy and Challow Hurdle.

Newbury officially joins Sky Sports from New Year's Day in 2024. The first of 29 fixtures at the Berkshire course is usually a midweek jumps fixture in either the second or third week of January.

Cloth Cap: won the prestigious Ladbrokes Trophy in 2020Credit: Edward Whitaker

Newbury has been on Racing TV, formerly called Racing UK, since it started in 2004. Three years ago, Ascot, Chester and Bangor made the switch to the rebranded Sky Sports Racing, previously known as At The Races.

Newbury's chief executive Julian Thick said: "We're delighted to announce this strategic partnership with TRP and Sky Sports Racing.

"We believe the new agreement secures a positive and exciting future for Newbury racecourse and its shareholders and fits with our long-term values and aspirations for the business.

"Sky Sports Racing offers a very attractive platform for us with its extensive reach to 14 million homes, a particularly strong supporting digital footprint with both Attheraces.com and associated channels, as well as the brand alignment and cross-promotional opportunities that come with being part of the larger Sky family.

"We'd like to thank our current rights holders, RMG, who have done and continue to do an excellent job for Newbury and have been a valued partner of ours since 2004."

Sky Sports Racing: add Newbury to collection of courses in 2024Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Jonathan Licht, managing director at Sky Sports, added: "It's a privilege to partner with Newbury racecourse and explore how we can help support this high-class venue and its associated events.

"Sky Sports is committed to our position in horseracing and very proud of the broadcast home we’ve built in Sky Sports Racing.

"Newbury hosts some major racing fixtures, which we believe will benefit from the dedicated and in-depth coverage and promotion that we can provide across the Sky Sports platform."

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