Live June weekend Irish horseracing set for RTE
Live Irish sport will return to television screens on Friday 12th June when RTE begins a series of one-hour coverage from weekend horseracing.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and RTÉ today confirmed a series of new one-hour evening programmes each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during June and early July.
Live terrestrial coverage of Irish racing is scheduled on eight of the first 20 days following the resumption of racing in Ireland on Monday 8th June.
RTÉ will broadcast new hour-long evening programmes on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on consecutive Friday (from 7pm), Saturday (from 5pm) and Sunday (from 5pm) with 10 extra meetings confirmed up to mid-July.
The first Classic of the flat racing season will be featured at the Curragh, the Irish 2000 Guineas on Friday 12th June followed by the Irish 1000 Guineas on Saturday 13th June.
Hugh Cahill will present with guest analysts joining regulars Jane Mangan, Ted Walsh and Ruby Walsh.
The new programmes will have two live races with previews and analysis, interviews from the track, as well as replays from action earlier that evening.
The coverage will comply with HRI's Covid-19 protocols around social distancing for behind closed doors meetings.
“RTÉ has always been very supportive of racing in Ireland and today’s announcement confirms that commitment," said HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh
"The new one-hour evening programmes are an opportunity for Irish racing to attract people to our sport and educate those new fans on what makes racing so exciting.
“We appreciate the flexibility shown by the RTÉ team around the new dates for the Irish Guineas in June and really look forward to their live coverage of our opening Classics, as well as this new departure,” he added.
JUNE SCHEDULE
Friday 12th June - Curragh
Saturday 13th June - Curragh
Friday 19th June - Gowran Park
Saturday 20th June - Naas
Sunday 21st June - Leopardstown
Friday 26th June - Curragh
Saturday 27th June - Curragh (Irish Derby)
Sunday 28th June - Curragh
July details to follow