An initiative from the British Horseracing Board to increase the amount of airtime devoted to horseracing on radio will be launched at Doncaster next month to coincide with the start of the Flat season on turf.
The scheme, which will be funded by the Levy Board on a pilot basis for one year, will cover principal meetings every Saturday, along with the major midweek festivals.
The BHB has commissioned an independent producer, ‘The Broadcasting Company’, to provide reports, results and interviews live from the racecourse. The service will be aimed mainly at local stations, and will be available free of charge to the broadcasters.
The idea, which was developed by the BHB in consultation with the Racecourse Association, builds on the experience of ‘The Broadcasting Company’ in producing similar coverage of motor sport and equestrian events such as Badminton. The cost of the one-year pilot will be £70,000.
BHB Communications Director, Peter Bell, said: “”In an increasingly competitive environment, it’s vital we look for new and innovative ways to raise the profile of the racing. With the welcome backing of the Levy Board, this is a first-rate opportunity to promote the sport by reaching out to the enormous number of people who listen regularly to local radio stations up and down the country.””
Levy Board Chief Executive, Rodney Brack, added: “”Racing needs to invest in the future, and particularly in promoting the sport to sponsors and to potential new racegoers and punters. This project will offer a service of racing news to thousands of listeners through radio stations which often do not have the resources to produce the coverage themselves.””
The Managing Director of ‘The Broadcasting Company’, Greg Strange, said: “”We are delighted to be associated with such an imaginative project. Our experience with other sports suggests this is a way of increasing awareness of racing and building interest in the sport in a highly cost-effective way.””