Tag: Horse racing

British, Irish and Japanese horse racing regulatory bodies have joined forces to create the Joint Cooperation Committee.

The deal sees the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Horse Racing Ireland team up with the Japan Racing Association (JRA).

The aims of the committee include promoting Japanese horses, while easing the travel of connections between the regions. Other objectives include the enhancement of awareness of each industry, creating a regulatory partnership and “further internationalising” horse racing.

The chairman of the new committee will be Joe Saumarez Smith, who is also the BHA chairman.

Commenting on the partnership, he said: “The British and Irish horse racing industries have enjoyed a close and fruitful relationship with the JRA – and the wider Japanese racing industry – for many years now.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with the JRA and are hugely grateful for their significant support. This can only lead to increased participation in each other’s ra..

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) has promised to “redefine the landscape of sports entertainment” after announcing a new headquarters in Las Vegas.

The NTL launched earlier this year and pits racehorses against each other in teams as part of a league. This in turn simplifies the betting experience.

The move of headquarters has been made with the intention of taking advantage of Las Vegas’ growing role as a sports hub, as well as giving the NTL more opportunity to tap into strategic partnerships. The chance to grow its fan engagement also appealed to the NTL.

Tom Ludt, NTL president, stated: “We are thrilled to announce the relocation of NTL to the vibrant city of Las Vegas. This move represents a strategic decision to align our league with a community that shares our passion for sports and entertainment.

“Las Vegas provides an extraordinary platform for NTL to thrive, with a depth of talent in sports wagering and event management.”

Las Vegas’ growing importance in sport

Nov..

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has opened its new $90.0m (£71.5m/€83.4m) Derby City Gaming (DCG) Downtown historical racing machine (HRM)venue in Kentucky.

The facility, CDI’s sixth in the Bluegrass State, has a Kentucky Derby theme and houses 500 HRMs. The CDI venue also features three food and beverage amenities, 130 parking spaces and an exterior 3D video board.

CDI said the project generated 400 construction jobs and resulted in over 150 permanent jobs at the venue. More than $14.0m of the investment was spent with minority, women and veteran-owned subcontracting services.

“This project is one of which I’m particularly proud because in addition to its impact of the Kentucky horse industry, it’s going to bring new energy to our downtown and stimulate investments like it,” CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen said.

“DCG Downtown will give locals, bourbon tourists, convention attendees and all our visitors, another much needed entertainment facility in this region. Investing in downtown L..

Arena Racing Company (ARC) and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) have joined forces to create shared channels to distribute UK racing around the world.

The five-year partnership will begin in January with ARC and RMG jointly offering British and Irish racing content. This will be promoted and commercialised across international tote and pari-mutuel markets as a single service.

Racing content will be offered under Great British & Irish Racing (GBI Racing). This served a similar function between 2010 and 2018.

RMG represents 34 British racecourses including Jockey Club-operated racecourses, York and Goodwood. ARC, meanwhile, works with 16 British racecourses and several independent racecourses such as Ascot, Chester and Newbury.

Meanwhile, a separate service for various fixed-odds territories will broadcast coverage from British racecourses. This will also cover ARC’s Premier Greyhound Racing service. Broadcast services for tote and fixed-odds channels will be provided by Vermantia, ARC..

The Jockey Club has announced that the maximum number of runners for the Grand National, the UK’s showpiece horseracing event, will be reduced in 2024 due to concerns over safety.

The current limit on horses running in the Grand National is 40. This has been in place since 1984. However, it is being cut to 34 in line with new measures to protect the welfare of racehorses and jockeys.

Changes will be implemented from the 2024 Grand National, which takes place on 13 April at Aintree Racecourse. One horse died during the 2023 race while the start was delayed due to protests from animal rights activists.

“The Grand National is the most iconic race in the world and one which transcends our sport,” Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale said. “For many it is also their introduction to horseracing. I believe that a competitive, fair and safe Grand National is one of the best ways of ensuring the sport continues to thrive for generations to come and remains an important part of Britain..