AT THE RACES CONCLUDES MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT WITH DONCASTER RACECOURSE
At The Races (ATR), the UK and Ireland's most watched dedicated horseracing channel, and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council are pleased to announce that they have agreed terms for At The Races to secure media rights to broadcast racing from Doncaster Town Moor Racecourse, home of the world's oldest classic and the last in the British flat racing season, the Ladbrokes St. Leger.
The agreement commences immediately but shall be subject to certain rights reserved to Racing UK until May 2007 when the racecourse's current media rights agreement with Racing UK expires. There are currently 28 meetings per year at the course.
Doncaster Council has launched plans to undergo a major redevelopment of its racecourse facilities which will make it into one of the premier race venues in the world. During the redevelopment, all fixtures, including the Ladbrokes St. Leger, will be relocated to other racecourses. In the event that such fixtures transfer to racecourses affiliated to ATR then the broadcaster will have exclusive domestic and international media rights.
Doncaster Racecourse will greatly benefit from exposure on the UK's most popular horseracing channel which attracts over 1.2 million different viewers each month. ATR is committed not only to raising the profile of the racecourse domestically but also increasing levels of awareness on the international stage as racing from Town Moor will be broadcast around the globe. The increased exposure that Doncaster will receive means that the racecourse is likely to see its revenues grow further through additional advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
In addition, as well as the substantial benefits received as part of agreeing this deal with ATR, a compromise has been reached between ATR and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council in respect of the ongoing rebate claim which ATR has been pursuing under its old media rights agreement.
Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, At The Races, said: "We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. We look forward to working with them and Arena Leisure to further develop the profile of the racecourse as well as playing our part in driving their incremental revenues domestically and from the investment we are making in our expanding international business. Upon completion of its redevelopment programme Doncaster racecourse will be one of the top racing venues in the world and with ATR as its media partner can be guaranteed a broad audience reach for its high quality dual code fixture list."
Mayor of Doncaster, Martin Winter said: "These are exciting times for Doncaster with the redevelopment in the pipeline. Ensuring that racing from Doncaster has good media coverage is crucial and we are very confident that ATR will greatly increase the exposure of the course both here and abroad."
SIMPSON SADDLES HIS FIRST MILLENNIUM STABLES WINNER
Rod Simpson saddled his first winner since taking over the reins at the powerful Millennium Stables, with Ampelio running away with the Lodge Maiden over 1,600 metres at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday evening.
Partnered by Ted Durcan, the three-year-old full brother to Grandera, was always going well and took the lead 400 metres out, crossing the line over five lengths clear of Jaffal in second and Candle Night in third.
After the race Simpson, who has been at Millennium Stables for just a week, said, "Millennium Stables is a well oiled machine and it is great to be part of the team. I am still finding my feet and everyone is being really helpful."
Secret Plot, the mount of Willie Supple, was an easy three length winner of the third race of the evening, the Al Nasr Leisureland Trophy over 1,600 metres. Dillagi set the pace but weakened close home, Lucky Jules took second with Morafij, Rory Cleary in the saddle, running on for third.
Machynleth, who last week refused to leave the starting stalls, put up a better performance this time round with a four and three quarter length win of the Lodge Plate over the straight 1,100 metres under John Panas.
Janadal, the mount of Pat Dobbs, held on for a three quarter length win in the fifth race, the 1,600 metre Al Nasr Leisureland Stakes, from the race favourite Baldaquin, who was looking for a hat-trick of Nad Al Sheba wins.
Desert Sands got up in a photo to beat Classicist in the final race of the evening, the Lodge Trophy over 2,400 metres. The pair went clear of the field 400 metres out and it was an epic battle to the line with the Ryan Moore-partnered Desert Sands his head down on the line to win by a short head.
RACING IN DUBAI, UAE
DUBAI RACING CLUB
NAD AL SHEBA RACECOURSE
Thursday, 15th December 2005
Dirt. Track: Fast.
Key: The figures beside the race conditions (ie 00-80) are for horses rated in that division and these figures are in pounds. The UAE Dirham (AED) is fixed at US$3.68. All races on dirt.
1999 b h Tomanchie Tee Jay Carries Star (HB Starfighter)
Owner: Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Godolphin Racing Inc
Trainer: M Al Muhairi. Jockey: J A Heffernan
2. LAURAL WOOD (US) 56kgs
1998 gr h Tomanchie Lura (Sams Fix)
Owner: S M Al Maktoum
Breeder: Godolphin Racing Inc
Trainer: S Seemar. Jockey: R Moore
3. MR AL CIRCY (FR) 54kgs
2000 ch h Bengali d'Albret Dhelia Lotoise (Dormane)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Xavier Moreau & Guy Berry
Trainer: R Simpson. Jockey: T Durcan
Then came (in order): Millenium du Pouy (FR), Doit Myway (US), Silverrado (US), Maxi de Piboul (FR), Amalia (FR), Dynamite (AE), Kernour de Ducor (FR), Red Zone (US), Jest Dew It (US), Al Sourour (FR), Bolet de Ghazal (FR), Saken (AE), Wake Up Call (US). 16 ran. NRs: Quintet (FR), Eastwell Star (US), Enshrah (FR), Dungali (US). Margins: 1 Ό, Ύ, 3 Ό.
Time: 1m 21.06s
Then came (in order): Pride Of Baghdad (USA), Sign Writer (USA), White Wingo (SAF), One Good Thing (USA), Shine A Light (USA), Chukar (USA), Baynunah (USA) 10 ran NRs: Bon Fleur (SAF), Zalaal (USA). Withdrawn: Maqadeer (IRE).
1998 b/br g Machiavellian La Confederation ( Nureyev)
Owner: Mr. Mohd Nayamat
Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: D Watson. Jockey: W Supple
2. LUCKY JULES (USA) 52.5kgs
2000 b g Jules Even In Paradise (Affirmed)
Owner: Mr. Mohd Al Jamali
Breeder: Bruce Moriarty
Trainer: M Al Muhairi. Jockey: J Panas
3. MORAFIJ (GER) 62kgs
2000 b g Lion Cavern Maid of Kashmir (Dancing Brave)
Owner: Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Darley Stud Management Co Ltd
Trainer: D Selvaratnam. Jockey: R Cleary
Then came (in order): Sylvanite (USA), New Legend (USA), Tri Another Cat (USA), Saleel (USA), Japon (ARG), Convex (USA), Dillagi (USA), Mr Magistrate (AUS), Mr Jebel Ali (USA). 12 ran. NR: Mr Sena (ARG) Margins: 3, 7, ½. Time: 1m 37.87s
2001 br g End Sweep Kingston Coup (Seattle Slew)
Owner: Dubai Down Under Partnership
Breeder: Kingston Park Studs
Trainer: D Watson. Jockey: S Randolph
3. JUNCTION LINE (GB) 56kgs
1998 b g Indian Ridge Nassma (Sadler's Wells)
Owner: Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Trainer: M Al Muhairi. Jockey: S Hefferman
Then came (in order): Sir Edwin Landseer (USA), Sparkford (USA), Emtillak (GB), Musahim (USA), Cupola (GB), Dubai Guest (CAN), Mokabra (IRE), Ma Yoram (USA), Marhoon (USA) 12 ran. NR Scotch N' Dry (GB)
