Record RTE three-year tv racing deal

RTE Sport and Horse Racing Ireland have agreed a new broadcasting deal for live coverage of Irish horse racing for the next three years that will deliver a record number of free-to-air live racing days in Ireland.

Under the new deal, RTE will broadcast 31 days of live racing in 2021, rising to 32 live days in 2022 and in 2023.

RTE will continue to bring Irish audiences closer to all the action from the coveted Festivals at Fairyhouse, Punchestown, the Curragh, Galway and Leopardstown, while new to the RTE schedule will be the Ascot Trials Day from Naas in May, and a series of top-quality winter Sundays over the jumps.

Group Head of Sport at RTE Declan McBennett, said: “Horse racing is an integral part of the RTE Sport offering, and we are delighted to extend our partnership with Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourses. The trainers and jockeys in particular have proven repeatedly that they are at the very forefront of their profession internationally, and we hope to see the very best of Irish equine talent over the next three years.”

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI said: “RTE has long been a wonderful partner for Irish racing and we are delighted to extend our relationship for a further three years. The increased coverage is very welcome and will enhance the telling of our great racing stories.”

RTE Fixtures 2021

Jan 28 Gowran Park

Feb 6 & 7 Leopardstown Dublin Racing Festival

April 4 & 5 Fairyhouse Easter Festival

April 27 - May 1 Punchestown Festival

May 16 Naas Royal Ascot Trials Day

May 22 & 23 Curragh Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend

June 26 & 27 Curragh Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby weekend

July 17 Curragh Juddmonte Irish Oaks

July 26 - 29 Galway Festival

Sept 11 & 12 Longines Irish Champions Weekend

Oct 30 Down Royal

Nov 14 Punchestown

Nov 28 Fairyhouse Winter Festival

Dec 5 Punchestown/Cork

Dec 26 - 29 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals

*Navan fixture in November TBC