Clare Balding to front Channel 4 racing coverage IMG Sports Media have been announced as the new producers of Channel 4's racing coverage from January 2013. The new four-year agreement will see former BBC racing presenter Clare Balding take a leading role in coverage of meetings such as the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Grand National. The deal, in operation from January 2013 until December 2016, runs alongside Channel 4's four-year media agreement with Racecourse Media Group. In addition, Channel 4 Racing sponsors, Dubai, have signed a new four-year extension deal until 2016. Balding will be the lead presenter from January 1, with both familiar and new faces forming a team which will be announced later in the year. She said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Channel 4 has asked me to be a part of their new racing team. Racing is my 'home' sport and I am delighted that I will still be part of its coverage on TV. "I am excited by Channel 4's plans for their coverage and the way in which they have committed to expanding the profile of jockeys, trainers and horses. "I look forward to working with IMG Sports Media who have a high quality reputation for sports programming." Balding is fresh from presenting the BBC's Olympic coverage over the last few weeks and Carl Hicks, BBC Sport senior programme editor, will also be joining the IMG team now London 2012 is over. His Racing pedigree includes nine Grand Nationals, eight Royal Ascots, six Derbies plus the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and others. Under the new contract IMG Sports Media will produce around 90 days a year of live terrestrial horseracing coverage in addition to the Morning Line. Jay Hunt, Channel 4's chief creative officer, said: "Clare has shown over the last two weeks at the Olympics why she is rightly acclaimed as one of the UK's leading broadcasters and I'm delighted that, in addition to presenting the London 2012 Paralympic Games on Channel 4 this autumn, she will lead our horse racing coverage from 2013. "With the expertise of IMG Sports on board, I'm hugely excited about the future of racing on Channel 4." Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4's sports editor, added: "After a rigorous and invaluable tender process, I am looking forward immensely to working with IMG Sports Media to deliver our vision for the sport. "Their pitch was compelling and crucially contained deep racing expertise allied to innovative broadcasting proposals. "The winning bid hails the arrival of a new era in broadcasting for the sport at a time when the industry is moving forwards with real momentum. The hard work starts now as we head towards 2013 and the exciting challenges ahead. "Clare's arrival is superb news for Channel 4 and the production team. "Quite simply she is the sports broadcaster of her era and for her to be heading up our coverage across the year is extremely exciting. "Racing fans have a lot to look forward to. "I would also like to thank Dubai for their continued support and we look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship to deliver the programming that their commitment deserves. "It is also fitting at this point to thank Highflyer TV for everything they have done for Channel 4 and British horseracing over many years." IMG's managing director sports production worldwide Graham Fry said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as Channel 4's production partner for horse racing in the UK for the next four years. "This is a unique and exciting opportunity to bring a fresh approach to an outstanding portfolio of race days, many of them iconic sporting events. "IMG has hand-picked an outstanding team of experienced and talented production professionals with vast expertise covering the sport. "This allied to our strong in-house creative talent who have worked on major sporting events around the globe, will ensure that race viewers see a new and enhanced approach to the overall horse racing experience." IMG has committed to introduce a range of innovations including graphical enhancements, while they are planning to relaunch the Channel 4 racing website as well as building new footings on other digital platforms. The programme sponsors are more than happy to renew their deal. John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed, said: "His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has supported British horseracing for many years and has always felt that strong terrestrial television coverage is crucial to the sport's popularity in the UK. "As Channel 4 Racing becomes the home of all racing for the British public, His Highness has made the decision that Dubai will continue to be the broadcast sponsor for the period 2013- 2016. "Since 2008, when the sponsorship started, we have seen a growth in viewership and we look forward to the future." The Jockey Club, which run 14 racecourses including Epsom, Aintree and Newmarket, have welcomed the decision. Group chief executive Simon Bazalgette said: "These are exciting times for British racing and we're looking forward to working with the IMG Sports Media and wider Channel 4 team in the coming months and years ahead. "When choosing Channel 4 as our terrestrial broadcast partner from 2013, they promised to generate new creative ideas and approaches to help increase and broaden the number of regular viewers of our sport of all ages and backgrounds. "While we have not been involved in the production tender process, their announcement today is a clear message they intend to deliver on this promise. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Highflyer for the great job they have done for British racing to date."
