Irish public-service broadcaster, RTÉ, agreed a three-year deal with the Association of Irish Racecourses for the rights to show live Irish horse racing until 2011.
Under the deal, RTÉ will broadcast all of the major festivals including Punchestown, Galway and the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown, as well as the biggest races of the year; the Grand National, Power's Gold Cup, the Champion Stakes and the blue riband event of the flat season, the Irish Derby.
Glen Killane, Group Head of Sport, RTÉ said: “This new agreement with underlines RTÉ's firm commitment to Irish racing. Horse racing not only has a special place in the Irish sporting calendar it is also unique Irish cultural phenomenon which fits very comfortably with RTÉ's service to the Irish public. We are delighted that we will be strengthening our ties with Irish racing over the coming three years”.
