The Seven Network has announced that Australian thoroughbred racing will now be shown live and free every Saturday of the year as part of the most significant free-to-air television deal in the history of the sport.
Seven has partnered with Racing Victoria, Racing NSW, Racing Queensland and Racing SA in the historic, long-term deal that unites Australian thoroughbred racing like never before.
The agreement to 2027 firmly cements Seven as Australia’s Home of Racing, and means Australians will enjoy 52 weeks of elite racing across the nation, including:
- NSW – every Group One and feature race, highlighted by the Golden Slipper, The Championships, The Everest and Golden Eagle
- Victoria – the very best of Melbourne’s time-honoured events headlined by the AllStar Mile, Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate
- Queensland – the Summer and Winter Carnivals, featuring the highly coveted Queensland Oaks, Queensland Derby and Stradbroke Handicap
- South Australia – the May Carnival and the jewels in its crown, the South Australian Derby, South Australian Oaks and Goodwood Handicap.
Seven West Media managing director and CEO, James Warburton (pictured) said: “Seven has a long and proud history of bringing horse racing to Australian television viewers and I’m very pleased to announce this innovative, comprehensive long-term agreement.”
“It is great news for Seven, our partners, the fans and horse racing in general, and it reinforces our position as the home of the best sport on television, all live and free.”
Australia’s pre-eminent sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, who leads Seven’s racing coverage, said: “It’s a landmark deal for racing in this country. To be able to share with all Australians the excitement and colour of the race track every week, on free-to-air television, is a dream come true. It feels unifying; the culmination of all within the sport pulling together to keep going despite the constant challenges of the pandemic.”
“For 7SPORT, it continues a tradition that goes back five decades and more to the legendary Bill Collins, to the delights of Winx and her connections, and now opens up the chance to showcase to the widest possible audience the great moments to come.”
Managing director Seven Melbourne and head of network sport, Lewis Martin, said: “This is a significant moment in Australian sport, bringing together the very best of Australian thoroughbred racing all year round on Seven. Horse racing is part of our nation’s sporting DNA and has provided some of the most iconic moments in our proud history.”
“We thank all those involved in this agreement for their vision in enabling us to take this ground-breaking leap for Australian thoroughbred racing. The primary beneficiaries will be the fans, owners, participants and a celebration of the beautiful animal that underpins the sport of racing, the horse.”
