Horseracing

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has extended the Chairmanship of Joe Saumarez Smith until 31 May 2025. This will represent a full three-year term for Saumarez Smith, who replaced Annamarie Phelps in June 2022 on the basis that he would serve as Chair until November 2023. However, the extension of his contract was recommended by the BHA’s nominations committee, and …

Superstar jockey Frankie Dettori confirmed that he will depart the sport in 2023, bringing an end to an iconic 38-year career in the saddle. The Italian – born in Milan but based in the UK for the majority of his professional career – will embark on a 10-week trip to the US, riding at the 2023 Breeders Cup in Santa …

With the ink barely dry on its latest deal with RacebookHQ, Metric Gaming is already looking forward to a fruitful collaboration that will deliver a higher yield for operators, enhance retention and revolutionise the way stakeholders can perform. Marc Thomas, CCO of Metric, explains all in this SBC exclusive. You recently announced a strategic partnership between Metric and RacebookHQ (RBHQ); …

Australian supplier BetMakers Technology Group has contributed to the rollout of fixed odds wagering products in Jamaica, launching the offering at the Caymanas Park racecourse. The successful launch of the offering at the island’s only racetrack was conducted in partnership with Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Ltd, a gaming solutions provider focused on the Caribbean region. A joint objective of …

Neil Hayward has been announced as the first chair of the Industry People Board for UK Racing, a new workforce directive established by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) and the Racing Foundation. An expert in business transformation and HR planning for large-scale organisations, Hayward will lead UK Racing’s new dedicated unit charged with improving …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that new rules and penalties related to the use of padded whips will be ‘implemented in full’ from 6 February 2023. Under the auspices of the updated regulations, jockeys must ensure that the “use of the whip for encouragement” should be limited to the backhand position only. UK racing has also established a …

Tabcorp has taken rival Entain Australia to court, due to a deal the latter signed last month with the Australian Hotels Association New South Wales (AHA NSW). The case was initiated yesterday in the New South Wales (NSW) Supreme Court as a civil dispute, and is being presided over by Justice M Ball. According to Australian media reports, Entain and …

SIS (Sports Information Services) has renewed its partnership with heritage Spanish gambling firm Grupo Orenes as lead international racing data supplier for its Versus retail property.  The extended deal will see SIS continue to provide its racing content to Versus, encompassing UK and Irish fixtures, international racing form. Additionally, greyhound meetings from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Latin America, the …

Sports Information Services (SIS) has agreed a partnership with Argentina-based derby, the Gran Premio Nacional. Seeking to strengthen its presence in the region and reiterate a commitment to horse racing, the company will be sponsoring the oldest and ‘most influential’ annual race in the Latin American country which attracts thousands of spectators. Michele Fischer, SIS’ VP of content services, said: …

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has confirmed the inbound appointment of Brendan Parnell as Managing Director of its Media and International units.  The former Chief Executive of Racing Queensland (2018-2022), Parnell will join the ARC executive leadership team in spring 2023, taking charge of the company’s media rights strategy for domestic and international markets. ARC underlined Parnell’s proven experience in negotiating …