Sky Sports Racing gained the exclusive broadcast rights to the Kentucky Derby in the UK and Ireland after signing a “long-term deal” with NBCUniversal that also extends its current rights to the other two legs of the fabled US Triple Crown series, the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for three-year-olds is the oldest continuously held major sporting event in North America.
Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, At The Races said: “This agreement reinforces our long-term commitment to the biggest racing events on the international stage and we will help raise the profile of these great fixtures even further in the UK and Ireland with coverage and cross promotion across Sky Sports.
“The Kentucky Derby is an institution in the US, and in recent years, the achievements of American Pharoah and Justify have brought the Triple Crown series to mainstream attention around the world.
“We also value our partnership with NBCUniversal and there are excellent opportunities for further cooperation in helping promote racing on both sides of the Atlantic.”