Olivia Hamilton

RACING channel At The Races has reported a record year for 2015 with revenues up 15%, ATR’s racecourse partners benefiting from a 30% year on year increase in media rights payments and 8.1 million viewers.

Media rights payments back to the 26 Irish racecourses in 2015 were up over 40% compared to 2014 and 155% on 2013 and a fifth of ATR’s increased audience of over 2 million monthly viewers watch in Ireland.

At The Races’ broadcasting of Irish racing overseas delivered increasing revenues in 2015 with continued growth coming from Australia, the US and Israel. The amount of betting handle passed back into Tote Ireland pools from international markets exceeded €25m.

The biggest TV audience days for ATR in 2015 included Irish Grand National day at Fairyhouse (523,000 individuals day reach and Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle day at the Punchestown Festival (512,000 individuals day reach).

ATR’s online presence continues to grow with Attheraces.com attracting an average of 2.3 million unique visitors per month and an average of over 140 million page views per quarter in 2015.

Sport Mediastream, ATR’s wholly owned streaming platform, delivered over 80 million individual live UK and Irish races to ATR’s 16 Bet and Watch bookmaker partners and the company also acquired exclusive streaming rights to Australian, South African and American racing

Matthew Imi, chief executive of At The Races, commented: “At The Races remains very much a growth business and I’m particularly pleased that our returns back to our racecourse partners were so impressive last year.”

Champion trainer Willie Mullins said: “I am a huge fan of At The Races and know this extends to my owners, staff and friends. The presenters and production team are not only extremely knowledgeable but also a pleasure to work with and the exposure ATR delivers is critical for maintaining the profile, appeal and strength of our sport.”

Andrew Coonan of the Irish Jockeys Association: “The team presenting Irish racing at ATR produce an excellent product. At the Irish Jockeys Association we are very reliant on the daily coverage and reviews of every race run here. This allows analysis of rider performance, track layout, start procedures and the various issues which come across our desk while at the same time allowing riders to showcase their talents to a wider audience. Personally, in doing my job, I’d be lost without ATR.”

Aiden Burns, manager of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners, said: “At The Races has been a tremendous boost to Irish racing in a number of ways. Those interested in racing can see every race and the televising of the meetings promotes the Irish product in a positive way. The financial contribution made to the racecourses has helped them improve facilities for racegoers in general and for owners in particular.”

Michael Grassick, chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association, added his support for ATR, saying: “Ever since the first broadcasting of At The Races it has put Irish racing to the forefront, both at home and abroad. Irish racing is very well covered with such good presenters as Gary O’Brien and Kevin O’Ryan and guests. It has helped to bring on board many new sponsors for Irish racetracks and to increase prize money.

“It helps to raise the profile of Irish trainers on a daily basis, both before and after races. Foreign owners with horses in training are now able to watch their horses run through At The Races.

“The channel is also a medium to sell Irish-trained horses abroad. Irish racing is in a better place due to the coverage of At The Races.”