Greyhound racing in Eire has launched into a brand new period this month following the launch of a revised broadcast schedule by Sports activities Data Companies (SIS).
The corporate is the main provider of 24/7 betting companies to the playing business, offering dwell photos, information and on-screen graphics to operators worldwide.
Greyhound protection is a key ingredient of the content material SIS provides to betting websites in Eire and the revised 2024 schedule marks a seismic shift in how the business will function.
9 Irish tracks can be impacted by the brand new schedule, with 5 them now that includes morning conferences designed to extend betting turnover.
Youghal, Tralee, Kilkenny, Waterford and Mullingar will every stage greyhound conferences throughout the week beginning at round 11.00 am.
There may also be three weekly conferences at Limerick, Youghal and Mullingar which can begin at round 2.00 pm, whereas Clonmel will host a Sunday night assembly beginning at 6.30 pm.
The transfer is designed to ship dwell motion into retail and on-line betting retailers at instances extra appropriate to the every day habits of greyhound punters.
A extra equitable share of prize cash has been carried out, which is designed to make sure that all race entries are correctly compensated each time they compete.
The annual calendar in Eire for a number of the prime races has been rejigged resulting from refurbishment work scheduled to begin quickly at Shelbourne Park within the close to future.
The celebrated Irish Greyhound Derby has been pushed again to November, whereas the Irish St Leger at Limerick and Irish Laures at Curraheen Park can be introduced ahead.
Highlights throughout the early a part of the yr in Eire embrace Clonmel’s Open Unraced competitors in January and the Gold Cup at Shelbourne the next month.
Nevertheless, SIS is hoping that tinkering with the schedule for the ‘bread and butter’ every day conferences would be the key to elevating the profile of Irish greyhound racing.
Along with being broadcast throughout the UK and Eire, the content material may also be closely promoted in a variety of worldwide jurisdictions.
Paul Witten, Managing Director at SIS, says a main ingredient of the brand new schedule is to focus om delivering for greyhound tracks owned by greyhound individuals with a shared ardour for the game.
“We imagine our strategy is wise, sustainable and constructive for the business,” Witten stated.
“There’ll undoubtedly be minor tweaks because the schedule evolves to replicate the place the stability of trainers and greyhounds sit throughout the tracks.
“However we now even have the flexibleness to ship a programme that displays the wants of a altering betting business.
“There’s additionally a welcome enhance in publicity for Irish tracks, which characteristic in additional conventional time slots. This can be a schedule we imagine will ship for the advantage of all stakeholders.”
With greyhound racing within the UK additionally set to profit from improved SIS protection, the game is effectively positioned to flourish on either side of the Irish Sea.
The launch of a devoted red-button greyhound channel on Sky Sports activities Racing from January 1 may also assist to considerably elevate the profile of the game.
