France Galop appoints HBA Media in a multi-year media-rights distribution deal

France Galop has appointed HBA Media as its dedicated global horseracing distribution partner under a four-year agreement.

As horseracing’s foremost international media rights agency, HBA Media will preside over France Galop’s entire racing portfolio to ensure global broadcast and multi-platform distribution for the world-famous Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a further 26 Group 1 and Group 2 racedays.

HBA Media and France Galop will work collaboratively to elevate the quality of its live and produced racing coverage.  There will be renewed emphasis on championing the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – France Galop’s premier event – in productions that will attract new audiences and sports fans to the best of French flat racing.

The announcement follows a string of major acquisitions by HBA Media in the last two years, which included representation agreements with both Ascot Racecourse and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) respectively to manage the international broadcast rights for UK and Irish racing, including the prestigious Royal Meeting, QIPCO British Champions Day, the Cazoo Derby Festival and the Randox Grand National.

HBA Media is responsible for a host of international landmark events, including the Pegasus World Cup, the Saudi Cup, the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the Melbourne Cup, the Breeders’ Cup and the Bahrain International Trophy. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will join HBA Media’s enriched portfolio to form an unrivalled year-long international racing calendar.

Henry Birtles, Chief Executive of HBA Media, said:

“HBA Media is delighted to enter this exciting partnership with France Galop. We are honoured to have been entrusted with managing their illustrious portfolio of events that are watched and loved all over the world.

“Over the past few years, our vision at HBA Media has been focused on the sport of horseracing thriving in an ever-changing media landscape. We are thrilled that France Galop believe in our approach, and we are unrelenting in our mission to showcase this great sport to untapped audiences and secure the best possible global coverage for France Galop and all our clients.”

Delphine Violette, Director Commercial and Marketing for France Galop, said:

“We are very excited to be working with HBA Media, who have proven their dedication, commitment and outstanding knowledge of horseracing and media.

“HBA’s enviable portfolio captures the very best of international horseracing and we are delighted that French racing from ParisLongchamp, Chantilly, Deauville, Auteuil and Saint-Cloud Racecourses will be distributed within this unrivalled year-long global racing calendar.”