Fakenham Racecourse has become the latest British racing venue to join the Racecourse Media Group (RMG), bolstering the latter’s output of UK content. 

The deal – in place from 1 May 2022 to 31 December 2028 – now means that RMG will broadcast live racing from 36 British racecourses and all 26 Irish tracks, via the Racing TV network, with 12 fixtures taking place at Fakenham throughout the year.

RMG closed 2021 having secured or renewed racing distribution contracts with a range of prominent racecourses and betting operators, with venues and events covered including the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival, and betting firm partners including Flutter Entertainment and Entain. 

Martin Stevenson, RMG CEO, said: “RMG and its 34 racecourse shareholders are delighted to welcome Fakenham Racecourse to the RMG family. 

“The racing from Fakenham will further strengthen our output, and we very much look forward to working closely with David Hunter and his team on all aspects of their media and data workstreams.”

For the Norfolk-based racecourse, the partnership will see RMG assist with the commercialisation and development of its local betting shop (LBO), streaming (Watch and Bet), pay TV (Racing TV) and international (Racing TV International) content rights. 

Additionally, Fakenham will also become a shareholder in the RMG business – the racing media rights company is 100% owned by racecourses, which as stakeholders receive 100% of the profits. 

Fakenham Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, David Hunter, added: “We are excited to be joining RMG and to be in partnership with many other like-minded small independent racecourses, alongside the larger independents and Jockey Club Racecourses.

“We have an excellent relationship with The Racing Partnership, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing which goes back many years and we are very grateful to the many successful years we have partnered with them. 

“However, my board of directors feel now is the right time for Fakenham to make a change and we believe joining the RMG family will ensure Fakenham will continue to provide good quality grass roots National Hunt racing with good prize money.”