RTÉ Sport, Horse Racing Ireland and the Association of Irish Racecourses have agreed a new broadcasting deal for live coverage of Irish horse racing for the next two years.
Irish racing fans will now be able to enjoy the most prestigious days in the Irish racing calendar free-to-air on RTÉ Television up until 2013.
RTÉ Television will broadcast 23 days of live Irish racing coverage each year for the next two years, featuring the great racing days of all the major festivals, with live television coverage also simulcast on RTÉ.ie within the Republic of Ireland.
The major festivals including Punchestown, Galway and the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown will be broadcast live.
There will also be coverage of the biggest races of the year - the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National, Hennessy Gold Cup, Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes and the blue-riband event of the flat season, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
Ryle Nugent, Group Head of Sport RTÉ said: "This new agreement is a statement of intent for RTÉ underlining our commitment to Irish racing.
"Irish horse racing coverage continues to be a priority for us and is an important part of our public service broadcasting remit.
"In addition to our live television coverage there will also continue to be extensive coverage of Irish racing on RTÉ Radio sport programming and RTÉ.ie will continue to provide all the latest news, race-cards and results. We look forward to bringing the public all the very best action and excitement in Irish racing."
Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), added: "Irish Horse Racing has a long and successful relationship with RTÉ and it very good news for everyone associated with racing that this will continue.
"The level of coverage agreed in this deal is a testament to the enduring popularity of racing and the way that RTÉ has covered its top meetings over the years.
"We look forward to closer engagement with RTÉ Sport across TV, Radio and the Web to present and celebrate the successes of our owners, trainers, horses and jockeys in coming years.”
Chairman of the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) John Moloney also welcomed the announcement and said: "Racing's profile on RTÉ Television is a vital part of its continuing appeal and success, helping racecourses to promote race-going amongst the general public and to attract and retain sponsorship across all business sectors."
