Attheracesclose to new deal

ATTHERACES took a major step forward in the race to set up a new satellite racing channel with the announcement yesterday that 25 courses have reached agreement on a fresh deal.

The broadcaster has agreed terms for the media rights to Ascot, all the northern racing tracks, the courses under the GG Media banner and all those owned by Arena Leisure.

This new development puts them on collision course with The Horseracing Channel, which has agreed deals with 27 tracks including those owned by the Racecourse Holdings Trust (RHT).

RHT owns Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom, Haydock, Kempton, Newmarket, Sandown and six other tracks. THRC has yet to put forward a definite launch date but it is hoped the new attheraces channel would be on air in June.

The channel would show at least two live UK meetings a day on average, with action from South Africa and America too.

Meanwhile, the BBC has secured a five-year deal with RHT to broadcast the Grand National, the Derby and Royal Ascot.