The British Horseracing Board (BHB), on behalf of itself and the Racecourse Association (RCA), has appointed the Press Association (PA) for a period of three years as official supplier of on-course data with effect from 1st May 2002.

Under this arrangement, the PA will supply live betting shows as well as race results, the starting price and other raceday information, such as jockey changes and non-runners.

BHB Managing Director Chris Reynolds said today: “The appointment of the PA will ensure the supply of live raceday information to the media, bookmakers and other users. The PA is an internationally respected organisation with a long involvement in and an intimate knowledge of British racing and, coupled with its independence, is ideally placed to take on this increasingly important role.

“BHB has asked the PA, as part of a commitment to high standards of service, to establish a forum comprising representatives of both the suppliers and users of the information to ensure that customers’ needs are met.

“The appointment represents a key element of BHB and RCA’s strategy of ensuring that a cost-effective and high-quality service is available to suppliers of the racing product to Licensed Betting Offices from 1st May 2002, tenders for the provision of which have been issued this week.”

Note

BHB and the RCA will have no involvement in the work of the PA reporters at the racecourse, nor in the onward supply of information. In addition, the PA’s role will not affect its involvement in the compilation of the starting price, which is the responsibility of the SP Executive, on which the PA is represented.