Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) has signed an international TV distribution deal to secure rights to show the best of British horseracing in the Middle East.
It said it sealed the agreement in the face of “fierce competition from major regional and international media organisations”.
The agreement with UK-based Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Ascot Racecourse will see top British horse races broadcast in the UAE and the wider Middle East, DMI said in a statement.
The four-year deal will begin on January 1, 2013 and means top-class Flat racing from the RMG-managed courses – such as Epsom, Newmarket, York, Goodwood, Sandown, Newbury and Haydock – plus Ascot will be televised on the Dubai Sports Channel and the Dubai Racing Channel.
Television coverage will encompass Royal Ascot, QIPCO British Champions Day and the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (both from Ascot), the Investec Derby Festival (Epsom), the QIPCO Guineas Festival (Newmarket), York’s Ebor Festival, Glorious Goodwood and many other of Britain’s leading Flat race meetings.
Ahmad Al Shaikh, managing director and director general of DMI, said: “We warmly welcome our direct involvement with RMG and Ascot Racecourse through our new arrangement covering the best of British Racing over the next four years.
“The deal translates our commitment to provide DMI viewers with top quality coverage of major events around the globe. We are confident that the deal will advance the popularity of British racing in many countries throughout the Middle East.”
Simon Brydon, RMG’s director of Business Development, added: “We are delighted that British racing will be showcased in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries following this exciting partnership with DMI and its TV channels.
“British racing has greatly appreciated the valued support of Dubai and the UAE in various capacities for many years now, and we look forward to our best racing garnering excellent exposure in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East.”
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