"ARO is now in a position to develop new commercial revenue streams"
22 March 2023, UK ~ Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) today confirm the purchase of The Arabian Racing Organisation Ltd (“ARO”) the sole Arabian Racing Authority in Britain. ARO operates with the support and permission of the British Horseracing Authority (“BHA”), managing all elements of the integrity, fixture list and promotion of the sport.
The ARO team of Genny Haynes, Willie McFarland and Debbie Burt will continue to deliver the recently published 2023 fixture list, which will cover a programme of Arabian races across British racecourses.
As Britain’s largest racing group, ARC are long term supporters of ARO, hosting events at their numerous racecourses across the summer Arabian Racing season.
ARENA RACING COMPANY
Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) is the largest racecourse operator in the UK with sixteen racecourses in it’s portfolio: Bath, Brighton, Chepstow, Doncaster, Ffos Las, Fontwell Park, Great Yarmouth, Hereford, Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Royal Windsor, Sedgefield, Southwell, Uttoxeter, Wolverhampton and Worcester.
In addition to racecourses ARC owns Central Park, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sunderland and Perry Barr Greyhound Stadia and looks after the media interests of the Greyhound Media Group (“GMG”).
As well as racing, ARC also operates a hotel at Wolverhampton Racecourse, a hotel and golf course at Lingfield Park and The Border Minstrel public house at Newcastle Racecourse in the grounds of Gosforth Park. The Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Racecourse opened in September 2018. and it is also a significant shareholder in the horseracing TV channel Sky Sports Racing.
2023 Arabian Racing in the UK
ARO Chief Executive Officer, Genny Haynes said, “We are delighted to confirm this deal with ARC, who have been fantastic supporters of ARO for a number of years, with the majority of our races run on ARC racecourses.”
“ARO is now in a position to develop new commercial revenue streams, with the aim of developing the sport’s profile within the UK. The future of our Arabian Group races is now secure, and our aim will be that these races host some of the World’s best Arabians, as well as provide a springboard for our domestic horses to progress. Equally, we look forward to working on the continued development of grassroots Arabian racing, which is an integral part of our domestic programme.”
Managing Director of ARC’s Racing Division, Mark Spincer, said, “As long term partners of ARO, we are delighted to take this step to help secure the future of the sport in Britain. Arabian races have sat alongside a number of our summer fixtures, and we look forward to working with Genny, Willie and Debbie to continue this and look for opportunities to grow the sport over the coming years.”
Twenty Arabian races, including four Group races, will take place on British Racecourses in 2023, with the season starting at Lingfield Park on Tuesday 9 May, and culminating at the same venue on Tuesday 26 September.
Until 2021 Arabian horses were not permitted to be stabled alongside Thoroughbred horses in stables licenced by BHA. Since 2021 British racehorse trainers now can stable and train Arabians alongside their existing bloodstock.
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