Flutter showcases ‘the very best of horseracing’ in new ITV docuseries

Flutter UKI has partnered with ITV and other industry stakeholders to deliver a six-part docuseries on British horseracing.

Set for a prime evening slot on ITV1 and ITVX next year, the series will focus on the forthcoming 2023-24 Jumps season, with production set to begin in December 2023.

In detail, the production will tell the stories of ‘lives, journeys, and adventures’ (both human and equine), as well as focus on the high levels of welfare applied to racehorses and jockeys. 

The companies look to showcase ‘the very best horse racing has to offer’ to a wider and broader audience, whilst getting behind the scenes of the sport.

Ian Brown, CEO at Flutter UKI, explained that this is an idea the company has promoted for some time, expressing his excitement to be bringing ‘the inner story of horse racing’, and those who support it, to a new and broader audience.’

Flutter’s collaboration on this project forms part of its work towards the goal of the Do More pillar of its global Positive Impact Plan, which encompasses the group’s commitment to give back to the communities in which it operates.

“In line with a key pillar of our Positive Impact Plan, this is also another great example of Flutter supporting the communities we operate within to ‘Do More’,” Brown continued. 

“We have long supported the horse racing industry – investing over £140m into UK racing in 2022 alone – and are committed to working together with all racing stakeholders to support and modernise this unique and enthralling sport through initiatives like this brilliant new series.”

The Series will be produced by the ITV-backed independent production company, South Shore, and Flutter and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) have supported the project. 

The emphasis is mainly on the series being a racing-wide collaboration, with various further stakeholders, including the Professional Jockeys’ Association and British Horseracing Authority (BHA), also lending their support.

“Racing drives an enormous amount of passion and excitement among ITV viewers as we know from our unrivalled coverage,” added Simon Daglish, Deputy Managing Director, Commercial, at ITV. 

“This new series is a fantastic chance to build on that excitement and bring this adrenaline filled sport to a new audience. We are delighted to be working with the racing community to showcase racing in a way that has never been seen before.”

Meanwhile, Martin Stevenson, CEO at RMG, emphasised his firm belief that such a production can significantly help grow participation in the sport. 

“We are very grateful to Flutter for its invaluable support in making the series possible and ITV’s wholehearted support,” he concluded. “ITV has been a fantastic partner for Racing and this docuseries is further evidence of its commitment to the sport.”