There are several options available when it comes to watching live horse racing in the UK, namely ITV Racing, Sky Sports Racing, Racing TV and bookmaker’s live streams.
The broadcasting rights for UK and Irish horse racing are primarily divided between Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV, each covering different racecourses.
Let’s delve into the specifics of what each service provides.
ITV Racing
ITV is the terrestrial broadcast channel (free to air) that offers live coverage of horse racing in the UK, including key events such as the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Aintree Grand National meetings. These are covered on the main ITV channel as well as the ITV3 and ITV4 channels, are broadcast in HD quality and can be viewed on Smart TV’s, desktop / laptops or mobile devices.
ITV’s live broadcasts are enhanced by “The Opening Show,” an early morning magazine program that previews the day’s racing. This show features celebrity guests from the racing world, offering insights and discussions on the upcoming events.
The ITV Racing team is led by Ed Chamberlain, a former Sky Sports football presenter, and features a mix of experts and legendary jockeys like Ruby Walsh and Sir AP McCoy, alongside analysts such as Mick Fitzgerald, Luke Harvey, and Megan Nicholls. Francesca Cumani and Matt Chapman (betting expert) are among the co-presenters, offering in-depth knowledge and insights.
Oli Bell hosts the morning magazine show, with Richard Hoiles and Mark Johnson leading commentary. Expert pundits, including Hayley Turner and Frankie Dettori, contribute with horse racing tips and analysis. The team is further enhanced by a panel of expert pundits, including Mick Fitzgerald, Jason Weaver, Luke Harvey, and others.
Sky Sports Racing
Sky Sports Racing is a dedicated horse racing channel within the Sky Sports network, focusing exclusively on racing from the UK, Ireland, and around the world.
This channel provides extensive coverage from 25 British racecourses, including key fixtures such as Royal Ascot, the Chester May meeting, and the St Leger Festival as well as top venues like Ascot, Chester, Doncaster, Lingfield, Newcastle, and Wolverhampton, among many others. This coverage ensures that viewers have access to a broad spectrum of horse racing events throughout the year, from flat racing to jump racing, encompassing both high-profile races and regular meetings.
It stands out for providing live coverage of key races, daily racing news, and comprehensive analysis from experts in the field. This is a go-to destination for racing enthusiasts seeking in-depth insights into the sport, with features that include exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and detailed previews of upcoming races.
It also broadcasts international racing events from countries like the US, Australia, France, and Hong Kong, offering a broad perspective on live horse racing around the globe.
Racing TV
Racing TV is a premium British television channel dedicated to broadcasting live horse racing from 61 racecourses across the UK and Ireland. Subscribers are treated to comprehensive live coverage, inclusive of exclusive feature programs that delve into the intricacies of the sport, as well as international racing events that span the globe.
Racing TV has secured the rights to show live racing from all 26 Irish tracks until at least 2029, following agreements with various racecourses. This deal ensures that Racing TV will be the exclusive broadcaster of Irish racing. The channel already broadcasts live horse racing from 61 British and Irish racecourses, making it a significant player in racing media coverage.
With subscription rates set at £29.98 monthly or £298 annually, Racing TV offers substantial value, especially for the ardent horse racing fan. This value is significantly enhanced by the Racing TV Club, an exclusive perk for subscribers that provides free tickets to over 70 race meetings each year.
Bookmaker Streams
An easy alternative to the major racing TV channels described above is to watch the live races via your favourite bookmaker. Most reputable bookies in the UK provide live streams of all UK, Irish and in some cases International horse racing.
Many of these live bookmaker streams are freely available once you are logged in but some betting sites may require a small nominal bet on the race (usually around £1) to qualify to watch the live feed.
The downside to this method is that it’s not always possible to expand the viewing area to full screen mode and the resolution will not be as good as other options, although they are perfectly watchable if you are only interested in watching the race in question.
