A racing media company created by a consortium of horse racing stakeholders has secured its first deal, partnering with Morocco’s Société Royale d’Encouragement du Cheval (SOREC).
Racing1 was created earlier this year by Australian betting and media firm Tabcorp, racing media rights holder Racecourse Media Group (RMG), racing media technology firm 1/ST Content, and the Arena Racing Company (ARC), an operator of multiple UK racing tracks.
The firm’s agreement with SOREC will see international racing distributed in Morocco, including fixtures from the UK, North America and Australia. Coverage will include live video, data, and betting packages, including tote and managed reading services.
Racing1 announced the arrangement at the ALA Conference in Marrakesh, the Moroccan capital. The company is seeking to find common ground with North and West African betting operators seeking to introduce worldwide racing to local audiences, expanding on the popularity of football in the regions.
Simon Fraser, Racing1 spokesperson, said: “The new Racing1 name symbolises the network of content leaders and right holders that our Strategic Partnership has conveniently coalesced into one all-access 24/7 hub.
“Transcending international boundaries, Racing1 is untying the tangled worldwide web of racing rights, while simultaneously bringing data-led innovation that dramatically deepens fans’ engagement.
“Our goal is to improve access and international interest in horse racing at a time when the sport is facing certain regulatory headwinds.”
Horse racing has been facing a challenging few years. Along with other sports, the sector was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw racetracks across the world closed down due to lockdown conditions.
Declining attendances in some core markets like the UK have seen on-track and betting revenue also drop. Racing stakeholders have been looking for new ways to reach audiences and maximise revenue as a result, including international activity.
1/ST Content, one of the key partners in Racing1, has been working to distribute North American racing content to Europe and vice versa. The company partnered with fellow Racing1 partner ARC earlier this year with the intention of forging links between US and UK racing, for example.
Omar Skalli, CEO of SOREC, added: “This partnership with Racing1 is a milestone for Moroccan horse racing fans, offering unprecedented access to the excitement of international horse racing and enriching their understanding of the sport.
“With daily coverage from top racing regions like the UK, North America and Australia via SOREC networks, our audience can now experience the thrill of the world’s most prestigious racetracks.”
