Chelmsford Racecourse extends media rights deals
January 19, 2024
Chelmsford City Racecourse has completed new long-term media rights extensions with Sports Information Services (SIS) and Racecourse Media Group (RMG).
The deal covers all betting and media rights across retail and digital channels and means racing will continue to be shown on the Racing TV channel and in betting shops via the SIS service.
In addition, Chelmsford City will be rolling out the Coursetrack system in order to provide live, in-race timing information, which will be broadcast on-screen and published online.
Chelmsford City Racecourse hosts a number of key flat races throughout the year, including Listed contests, the Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes and the Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes, and is set to become the first track in Britain to stage both turf and all-weather racing under floodlights.
The deal will enable Chelmsford City to plan for the future with certainty, advancing plans to include a new £85 million multipurpose grandstand, which will serve as a thriving entertainment destination for the area including a 2,500-seat theatre and, potentially, a casino.
The course is investing more in its race programme and is hoping to create opportunities for Pattern races as well as staging trials for the sport’s biggest international meetings.
Director of Racing, Neil Graham, said: “We are looking forward to working closely with SIS and RMG to strengthen our existing racing programme and to work on new initiatives. These deals give us the certainty by supporting ambitions for the racecourse to be bolder and more ambitious in its plans going forward.”
John Holmes, Founder of Chelmsford City Racecourse, commented: “Planning successes on the 400 acre site, which includes the racecourse, has proved pivotal in funding the racecourse ambitions. We will not forget the contribution and support during our partnership with Fred Done, without whom none of this would have been possible.”
Richard Ames, CEO of SIS, added: “We are pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with Chelmsford City Racecourse to the end of 2029. Together, we have built a strong relationship and we are confident that our customers will continue to enjoy the top-quality racing action we can provide them from both the all-weather and turf tracks.”
RMG has also announced that Chelmsford City Racecourse will be joining as a member of the Group, which is 100 per cent owned by racecourses, and pays 100 per cent of its profits to its racecourse shareholders.
Martin Stevenson, CEO of Racecourse Media Group, said: “RMG and its 34 racecourse shareholders are delighted to welcome Chelmsford City Racecourse to the RMG family. The racecourse is continually looking to innovate and invest, and create new, exciting offerings for participants, race fans and punters – which is very much reflective of the RMG ethos.”