TV audiences from all corners of the globe will enjoy coverage of the US$1m Bahrain International Trophy tomorrow (14th November) with a record 28 broadcasters lined up to televise one of the showpiece horse races staged in the Middle East.
Eight horses are set to represent Britain, Ireland, France, UAE and Bahrain in the Kingdom’s most valuable race, won last year – for the second time – by Spirit Dancer, co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. The race is due off under the floodlights of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club at 7.40pm local time (4.40m GMT).
Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and HBA Media (HBA), two of the world’s leading horseracing media rights companies, working with the Bahrain Turf Club, are distributing the TV coverage. Heavyweight broadcasters include Fox Sports in the US and ESPN/Disney+ in Latin America and the Caribbean, while ITV in the UK will show a recording.
Broadcasters include:
- Americas: Fox Sports, Fanduel, RTN, NYRA (US); SportsNet, HPiTV (Canada); ESPN, Disney+ (Latin America, Caribbean).
- Europe: D-Smart (Turkey); Equidia (France); Polsat (Poland); ITV*, Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing (UK, Republic of Ireland); Setanta (Balkans and Eurasia); Silknet (Georgia); Viaplay (Netherlands, Scandinavia); Virgin Media (Republic of Ireland); WeDo TV (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
- Asia and Australasia: Netkeiba, Green Channel* (Japan); Sky Racing, Racing.com* (Australia); WeDo Asia (Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar).
- Middle East and Africa: Bahrain TV, Dubai Racing Channel (MENA); 4Racing (Africa).
- Global: Reuters* (News).
*recording / delay
Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club, said: “The Bahrain International Trophy has evolved into one of the key races of the international calendar, and this far-reaching TV audience reflects the global appeal of the race, which has attracted representatives from five countries. Thank you to our appointed media partner RMG, and its agency, HBA Media, for the excellent widespread TV coverage.”
RMG is also producing the live one-hour world feed programme (7pm to 8pm local). Its Director of Communications and International TV Distribution, Seb Vance, added: “RMG is once again delighted to be working with our valued partners and friends at the Bahrain Turf Club on both the production and distribution of their racing. The global interest in the Bahrain International Trophy has been very strong, as befitting such a world-class event, and we look forward to another wonderful renewal on November 14.”
The distribution services are part of a recently-agreed two-year contract between BTC and RMG, which also includes production and promotional services – to help further enhance the growth of one of the most exciting and emerging racing jurisdictions in the sport.
Mr Buheji added: “Racecourse Media Group first worked with the Bahrain Turf Club team in 2019, when the inaugural Bahrain International Trophy was staged, and the relationship has flourished since. RMG’s reputation in the Middle East goes before them, and we look forward to working closely together for the seasons ahead on all our media requirements.”
RMG will produce World Feed programmes for global broadcasters for the season ahead, including the US$1m Bahrain International Trophy (November 14), the US$1m Bahrain Turf Series (December 19 – March 5), and the prestigious Crown Prince’s Cup (January 30) and King’s Cup (March 6). RMG is offering exciting broadcast rights packages for those key fixtures.