A groundbreaking alliance between two titans of the horse racing world is set to bring British and Irish racing to the forefront of international wagering markets. The Arena Racing Company (ARC) and Racing Media Group (RMG) have announced a five-year partnership that signals an innovative era for the sport’s global commercialization.
Starting in January, this collaboration marks the launch of a unified service for racing enthusiasts and bettors around the world. This initiative will see ARC and RMG working together to distribute British and Irish racing content across international tote and pari-mutuel markets. Significant in scope and ambition, this unified package will be known as Great British & Irish Racing (GBI Racing), reviving a brand that previously embodied a similar venture from 2010 to 2018.
GBI Racing’s mission is a streamlined approach to promoting and commercializing racing, with the dual aim of enhancing the visibility of the sport internationally and generating substantial value for both racecourses and content consumers. RMG represents a powerful consortium of 34 British racecourses, with prestigious names such as those operated by the Jockey Club, York, and Goodwood. In tandem, ARC’s influence extends to 16 British racecourses, including heavy-hitters like Ascot, Chester, and Newbury.
While the shared service will focus on tote and pari-mutuel betting markets, a tailored offering for various fixed odds territories will also be in operation. Not only will it showcase coverage from British racecourses, but it will also include ARC’s Premier Greyhound Racing service. Vermantia, ARC’s production arm, will deliver the broadcast services for both tote and fixed odds channels, ensuring a high-quality viewing experience.
“The partnership ushers in a new chapter for British racing, encapsulating a unified export service,” ARC’s managing director of media and international, Brendan Parnell, said. He emphasized the partnership’s goal to offer and enhance an efficient, international platform adept at distributing and promoting racing across the globe.
The enthusiasm is shared by RMG CEO Martin Stevenson, who expressed his delight in the joint promotion and sale of British and Irish racing as an integrated package. Stevenson highlighted the initiative’s potential to drive value for their racecourses and deliver an improved product to customers worldwide.
Both Parnell and Stevenson are eager to work together on this enterprise, which leverages the strengths of both organizations to create what is poised to be a leading international racing service. Stevenson further expressed his gratitude to SIS for their significant contributions to their racecourses over the past five years.
This ambitious plan does more than just consolidate media rights and wagering opportunities—it symbolizes a commitment to a shared vision of growth and excellence. By combining the rich heritage and excitement of British and Irish racing with innovative distribution and marketing strategies, ARC and RMG aim to captivate and engage a global audience like never before.
With the stage set for expansion, the industry can anticipate a surge in international interest and engagement in British and Irish racing. The upcoming launch promises to enliven the international racing calendar, satisfying the appetites of racing fans and bettors seeking top-notch racing action. As the partnership prepares to roll out its comprehensive service, the global racing community waits with bated breath to witness how this groundbreaking collaboration will reshape the future of international horse racing wagering.
