Arena Racing Company (ARC) has completed its acquisition of the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) and signed a four-year rights agreement with At The Races (ATR) and Ascot racecourse.
ARO is the only Arabian Racing Authority in Britain, and operates with the support of the British Horseracing Authority.
As part of the acquisition, ARO CEO Genny Haynes, racing operations manager Willie McFarland and ARO official photographer, media and PR Debbie Burt, will remain in charge of delivering the published 2023 fixture list. The fixtures will cover a programme of Arabian races that will take place on British racecourses.
“We are delighted to confirm this deal with ARC, who have been fantastic supporters of ARO for a number of years, with the majority of our races run on ARC racecourses,” said Haynes. “ARO is now in a position to develop new commercial revenue streams, with the aim of developing the sport’s profile within the UK.
“The future of our Arabian Group races is now secure, and our aim will be that these races host some of the world’s best Arabians, as well as provide a springboard for our domestic horses to progress.”
Mark Spincer, director of ARC’s racing division, said that the company was “delighted” to have acquired ARO.
“As long-term partners of ARO, we are delighted to take this step to help secure the future of the sport in Britain,” said Spincer. “Arabian races have sat alongside a number of our summer fixtures, and we look forward to working with Genny, Willie and Debbie to continue this and look for opportunities to grow the sport over the coming years.”
Rights agreement
Also this week, ARC entered into a four-year media and data rights agreement with ATR and Ascot racecourse.
ARC said that elements of the deal will come into play from 1 April 2023 – including the distribution of images and data from Ascot racecourse fixtures by ARC, via betting shop channel The Racing Partnership, to retail betting facilities.
Currently, The Racing Partnership distributes live pictures and data from all ARC racecourses, as well as content from independent venues in the UK. From 1 April, these venues will include Newbury Racecourse.
“Alongside the recent addition of Newbury, we are delighted to welcome Ascot racecourse to The Racing Partnership with this agreement,” said Martin Cruddace, CEO of ARC. “It goes without saying that their portfolio of top class fixtures across the year will be a huge asset to TRP and its customers.”
Earlier this month, ARC announced that its chairman David Thorpe is to step down from 30 April.
