RMG extends media rights agreements with 33 British racecourses to 2033

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has agreed long-term extensions for the audio-visual and data rights of 33 British racecourse shareholders, taking the renewed arrangements through 31 December 2033. The five-year extensions were agreed ahead of the current rights expiry in December 2028, creating a longer contractual framework for the participating venues.

The renewed portfolio covers Watch & Bet streaming, direct-to-home broadcasting, terrestrial television, international betting and non-betting rights as well as pre-race and race-day data. The scope gives Racecourse Media Group responsibility for a wide range of media and data interests connected with the participating racecourses.

Racecourse Media Group said the group includes Jockey Club Racecourses, York, Goodwood and Ayr together with 16 small independent racecourses. The company also confirmed that several major British racing events will remain within its portfolio until at least 2034, including the Randox Grand National, Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, Betfred Derby, Qatar Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International Stakes.

The announcement follows RMG’s leadership transition. Nigel Railton became Chair on 1 October 2026, succeeding Conor Grant, who is remaining for a one-month handover through 1 November. Nick Mills continues as CEO. Racecourse Media Group announced Railton’s appointment in September as part of the planned change at board level.

The media rights renewals

The media rights renewals give the 33 shareholder racecourses greater visibility beyond the previous December 2028 expiry date. For a rights-management business, that longer horizon can support planning around broadcasting, streaming, international distribution and data products without changing the underlying ownership structure.

Racecourse Media Group states that it is wholly owned by its racecourse shareholders and returns its operating profit to those racecourses. The model places the commercial management of media and data rights within a business owned by the venues whose content forms the basis of the portfolio.

Conor Grant, outgoing Chair of Racecourse Media Group, said:

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our shareholder racecourses for the confidence they have once again shown in RMG. Their collective commitment is a powerful endorsement of the racecourse ownership model they created in 2004 and demonstrates the value that can be achieved when racecourses work together in the long-term interests of British racing.

RMG is a force for good in British racing and our racecourse members continue to invest in and grow the sport. These renewals provide important certainty for racecourses at a time when the wider betting and media landscape continues to evolve. Against a backdrop of retail shop closures, regulatory change and broader economic pressures, RMG’s racecourse shareholders are well placed to navigate challenges and capitalise on future opportunities across broadcasting, streaming, data and betting.”

Media and data remain core rights

The agreement covers more than traditional broadcast distribution. Watch & Bet streaming sits alongside direct-to-home and terrestrial television rights, while international betting and non-betting rights extend the commercial reach of the portfolio. Pre-race and race-day data are also included.

That combination reflects the different ways racing content is consumed and commercialised. Live video can serve broadcasters and streaming audiences, while data can support betting services and other digital applications. Keeping these rights within a single long-term framework allows Racecourse Media Group to manage them across multiple markets and partners.

RMG also operates Racing TV and other businesses connected with the distribution and commercialisation of racecourse content. Its current structure includes media rights management, international services and race-day data activities.

Nick Mills, CEO of RMG, said:

“I’d like to thank the racecourses for the trust they have instilled in RMG’s ability to deliver long-term value on their behalf.

As a business wholly owned by its racecourse shareholders, every pound of profit generated by RMG is returned to racecourses, helping to support prizemoney, facilities and investment across the sport. These renewals provide a strong platform from which we can continue growing revenues and maximising returns on behalf of our shareholders.

I would also like to recognise the outstanding work of the RMG team and thank the audiences, customers and partners who support our businesses every day. Under our vision of Working for Racing’s Future, we look forward to continuing to work with broadcasters, betting operators, technology and media partners, alongside the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and stable staff whose dedication makes racing such a compelling and successful sport.”

The Jockey Club notes the financial connection

The Jockey Club is among the major racecourse groups represented within the RMG model. Group Chief Executive Jim Mullen said the organisation’s media and data rights have generated value over more than two decades and connected that income with investment in prize money, facilities and customer experience.

“RMG has consistently delivered significant value from media and data rights for more than two decades, helping to unlock revenues from the betting and broadcast sector in a way that few other sports have achieved. Those returns have supported investment in prizemoney, racecourse facilities and the overall customer experience across our venues.

More recently, the income generated through Racecourse Media Group has provided vital support to racecourses during periods of considerable challenge and change. Racecourse Media Group has a critical role to play in helping drive the future growth and sustainability of British racing.”

The statement represents the shareholder’s view of the commercial role of Racecourse Media Group, while the renewal itself establishes the contractual term for the rights.

York and Kelso continue their RMG relationships

York Racecourse is extending its long-standing relationship with Racecourse Media Group through 2034. William Derby, Chief Executive of York Racecourse, referred to York’s position as a founding member of Racing UK in 2004 and the continuing role of the racecourse ownership model.

“As one of the founding members of Racing UK in 2004, York Racecourse is delighted to extend its long-standing relationship with Racecourse Media Group through to 2034. The racecourse ownership model remains a strength of Racecourse Media Group, ensuring that racecourses retain control of their media and data rights while benefiting from collective scale and expertise of RMG’s talented team both in front and behind the camera. We are hugely appreciative of everyone who supports Racecourse Media Group and the racing it covers.

Through Racing TV, Raceday TV and its wider commercial operations both domestically and internationally, Racecourse Media Group has consistently delivered innovation, value and world-class coverage for racecourses and horseracing fans. We look forward to continuing to work together to showcase racing’s biggest occasions on both the domestic and international stage.”

Kelso Racecourse is also among the independent racecourses continuing its relationship with Racecourse Media Group. Managing Director Jonathan Garratt said the revenue generated through the arrangement supports areas including prize money, investment and facilities.

“RMG ensures that racing enthusiasts, bettors and participants can follow the racing action from all of the shareholder racecourses throughout the year, Monday to Sunday, whatever the season. The resultant revenue has become a vital component of racecourse finances, supporting prizemoney, investment and the ongoing enhancement of facilities for racegoers and participants alike.

The agreement to renew our rights with RMG is a vote of confidence in the executive team and their ability to deliver strong commercial returns while continuing to evolve media products and services in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

The wider significance for racing media

The renewal places 33 shareholder racecourses on a common rights timetable through 2033. It also keeps a number of established fixtures within Racecourse Media Group’s portfolio for the next several years, supporting continuity for broadcasters, streaming audiences, betting operators and other media partners.

At the same time, the announcement does not set out projections for future revenues or specify new commercial terms for individual partners. Its confirmed elements are the participating racecourses, the categories of rights covered and the new expiry date.

For racecourses, the ownership model keeps the rights business connected to the venues themselves. For external partners, the renewed term establishes a longer period in which commercial, broadcast and technology relationships can be developed within the scope of the agreed rights.

Leadership continuity alongside the renewal

The rights agreement sits alongside a change at board level. Nigel Railton took up the role of Chair on 1 October 2026 after Racecourse Media Group announced his appointment in September. Conor Grant, who had chaired the organisation since 2023, is staying temporarily to support the handover until 1 November.

Nick Mills remains CEO, providing continuity within executive management while the renewed rights arrangements take effect. Racecourse Media Group’s current corporate information also identifies Mills as Chief Executive and lists the organisation’s 37 racecourse shareholders.

The central contractual development remains the five-year extension agreed by 33 British racecourse shareholders before their existing rights expire in December 2028. The new term will run through 31 December 2033.

Conclusion

Racecourse Media Group’s agreement with 33 British racecourse shareholders establishes a renewed media and data rights framework through 31 December 2033. The arrangements cover streaming, television, international betting and non-betting rights as well as pre-race and race-day data, giving the participating racecourses a defined long-term rights period.

The renewal also maintains RMG’s shareholder-owned structure and extends the period in which the participating racecourses can work collectively through the group. The continued inclusion of major racing fixtures and independent racecourses reflects the breadth of the rights portfolio covered by the agreement.

With Nigel Railton now serving as Chair and Nick Mills continuing as CEO, RMG enters the renewed term with a defined contractual horizon and an established corporate structure. The next phase will depend on how the organisation and its shareholder racecourses develop broadcasting, streaming and data services within the agreed period.

FAQs

What is RMG?
RMG, commonly known as Racecourse Media Group, is a shareholder-owned organisation that manages media and data rights for participating racecourses and operates businesses including Racing TV.

How many British racecourses signed the latest RMG extensions?
RMG said 33 British racecourse shareholders committed to the new five-year term.

How long will the renewed RMG rights last?
The extensions run through 31 December 2033.

When were the previous rights due to expire?
The existing arrangements were due to expire in December 2028.

What rights are covered by the RMG agreement?
The portfolio includes Watch & Bet streaming, direct-to-home broadcasting, terrestrial television, international betting and non-betting rights as well as pre-race and race-day data.

Which racecourses are included?
Racecourse Media Group identified Jockey Club Racecourses, York, Goodwood and Ayr among the participants together with 16 small independent racecourses.

Which major racing events remain in RMG’s portfolio?
The announcement names the Randox Grand National, Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, Betfred Derby, Qatar Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International Stakes.

Who is the current Chair of RMG?
Nigel Railton became Chair on 1 October 2026, succeeding Conor Grant.

Who is the CEO of RMG?
Nick Mills is Racecourse Media Group’s Chief Executive.

What does the shareholder-owned model mean for RMG?
Racecourse Media Group states that it is wholly owned by its racecourse shareholders and returns operating profit to those racecourses.