Go Racing deal back on track

LONDON - Go Racing has reaffirmed its grip on the media rights to UK horseracing as it emerged that it had successfully agreed key terms under which it will obtain a licence for pre-race data with the British Horseracing Board.

The consortium resurrected talks with the BHB late on Monday, after shareholders in Go Racing partner Arena Leisure agreed to a fundraising deal to raise the racecourse operator's share in the £307m deal.

The consortium's hold on the rights began to slip late last week when the BHB rejected Go Racing's offer for the pre-race data, owned by the BHB, and which is crucial to the consortium's planned interactive betting service.

Go Racing came back to the BHB with a new offer for the licence, but it was thought doubtful that Arena Leisure investors would vote in favour of the fundraising without the licence having been first agreed.

The BHB meets on Thursday evening to consider the new terms for the pre-race information and it is expected to recommend that Go Racing is granted the licence.

In a statement, Arena said, "Certain matters affected by these negotiations are subject to acceptance by the Racecourse Association and the Racehorse Owners Association."



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