It will have a potential reach of more than 400 million
HBA Media has secured worldwide coverage of the world’s most valuable horse race, the $20 million (£15.45m) Saudi Cup.
The international horse racing media rights agency has worked to make sure that the race will be broadcast in every major continent to over 100 territories – with a potential reach of more than 400 million.
Getting under way on 29 February, the Saudi Cup will be televised as part of a one-hour programme, named The Golden Hour, which combines on-event and lifestyle content with the race. There will also be a five-hour world feed package produced by IMG and managed by HBA Media.
Saudi Cup strategic and international racing director, Tom Ryan, said: “We are pleased that so many people around the world will have the chance to follow the Saudi Cup on Saturday February 29. This is an important event in Saudi Arabia’s evolving society and will act as a launch pad to further development of our growing racing industry.”
Where to watch the Saudi Cup
- In Europe you can find it on: Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV (UK), Virgin Media (Ireland), Polsat (Poland), S Sport (Turkey), Match TV (Russia), Sport Deutschland (Germany), Silknet (Georgia), Teleippica and Eleven Sports (Italy), and Sport Klub (Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Herzegovina)
- In North America it will be shown on: Fox Sports 1 (USA), TVG (USA – undercard), FloSports (USA – OTT), TSN (Canada), Sports Max (Caribbean)
- South and Central America will have Spanish language coverage from ESPN. Supersport will show it to 48 countries in Africa, and in Asia you can see it on: Shanghai TV, Wuhan TV, Beijing TV (China), The Green Channel (Japan), Eleven Sports (Taiwan)
- For the MENA region, HBA Media has partnered with Twitter to provide coverage
Henry Birtles, CEO of HBA Media, added: “Year one broadcast distribution has successfully reflected the significance of this event and we look forward to building on early achievements.”
The Saudi Cup will take place on 29 February at the King Abdulaziz racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There will be a maximum field of 14 runners and it will be over nine furlongs (1800 metres) on dirt. The winner will receive $10 million, with the other horses down to 10th sharing another $10 million.
It is the latest in a number of efforts to improve Saudi Arabia’s image despite its poor human rights record.