A breakthrough deal for the televising of Irish Horse Racing was secured on Friday evening with The Association of Irish Racecourses confirming that all 26 Irish Racecourses have approved the RMG and SIS Media Rights deal and have authorised AIR to sign the contracts on their behalf.
On May 9th, 21 of Ireland’s 26 racecourses signed up to the deal, with only Kilbeggan, Roscommon, Sligo, Limerick and Thurles Racecourses rejecting it. Following an intensive week of discussions with AIR and the HRI Media Rights Committee, today those tracks have signed.
“Firstly, I would like to commend and compliment the executive of AIR and HRI who have supported the Media Rights Committee to ensure that the very best deal in the marketplace has been obtained for Irish Racecourses and indeed the wider industry,” said Chairman of AIR, Conor O’Neill.
“I can confirm that Kilbeggan, Roscommon, Sligo, Limerick and Thurles have decided to join the other 21 racecourses today and sign that deal. Furthermore, I look forward to working SIS and RMG now and seeing it come to fruition.”
“This process has been exceptionally thorough and has delivered a superb deal for all 26 Irish racecourses,” added Horse Racing Ireland CEO Suzanne Eade.
“Horse Racing Ireland will be working closely with all racecourses and our media rights partners SIS and RMG to maximise the future revenue streams under the new deal.”
“Having satisfied our principal objectives, UIR has agreed to sign-up to the current media rights deal negotiated between HRI and RMG | SIS,” said Pierce Moloney speaking on behalf of the five racecourses that came late to the table.
“In particular, the membership of UIR is pleased by HRI’s willingness to implement a proposed memorandum of understanding for racecourses during future media deal negotiations, and a review of media rights, as referenced by the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, on 1st June last.”
The deal is set to commence on January 1st 2024.
