A new set of tariffs for using pre-race data have been established by the Racecourse Data Company (RDC).
RDC, established by Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Arena Racing Company (ARC) with the support of nine independent tracks, has been granted a five-year licence to sell pre-race data, the information on a racecard that includes final fields, jockeys, weights, colours and ratings.
A statement from Richard FitzGerald, RMG Chief Executive and Tony Kelly, ARC Managing Director, said: “This move reflects the way in which racecards are now used and the changes in the marketplace, particularly around mobile and online. The overarching aims are to protect official partners, control integrity, lower the risk of piracy and enhance the value of pre-race data for the industry.”
While national newspapers will not be affected by RDC’s plans, specialist media will face a significantly increased charge, with the Racing Post set to pay an additional fee.
Alan Byrne, Racing Post Editor-in-Chief, said: “Racecourse Data Company’s new rate-card will impose a range of extra costs on companies that, directly or indirectly, promote British racing. This is a ‘lose, lose’ proposal. It will damage the interests of racing in Britain as well as businesses like the Racing Post and others.”
