Sky Sports Racing gallops to new American partnerships
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Editor
| 24 October 2019

Under two new partnership agreements, principally with New York Racing Association (NYRA), Sky Sports Racing has acquired exclusive UK and Ireland broadcast rights for all races from Woodbine, Saratoga, Aqueduct and Belmont Park Racecourses.

Woodbine is Canada’s most prestigious racecourse and host to The Queen’s Plate, the longest, continually run Stakes race in North America as well as 36 Graded races including the Woodbine Mile and Canadian International. Belmont Stakes Day races are already contracted to Sky Sports Racing for exclusive broadcast in the UK by rights holder NBC Universal.

In 2018, NYRA hosted 219 fixtures at its three tracks including over 100 Graded races and has recently completed its inaugural Turf Triple Series worth over $5
million. The Series has already proved popular amongst British and Irish trainers. The Turf Trinity series culminated in the $1 million Jockey Club Derby, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf and was won by David Simcock trained Spanish Mission.

The deal will see Sky Sports Racing will bring high-quality HD signals from each track into its nightly, studio-hosted US racing broadcasts while a close collaboration between attheraces.com and the racecourses will drive comprehensive digital and social media coverage for race fans.

Commenting on the deal, At The Races chief executive Matthew Imi said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with two racing organisations as forward thinking and respected as NYRA and Woodbine. Their venues host high quality racing and their East coast locations are increasingly attracting British and Irish trained horses. This complements our offering of the world’s best international racing, and we’re excited about promoting and showcasing NYRA and Woodbine racing in the UK and Ireland.”

NYRA chief revenue officer Tony Allevato added: “Partnering with Sky Sports will expand the reach of NYRA’s acclaimed television simulcast programme and provide viewers in the UK with high quality daily coverage of Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. To be featured prominently on Sky Sports Racing and its digital At The Races channels will benefit New York’s horsemen and grow the sport.”