IRISH RACING FROM SIS NOW PERMANENT

27 June 2001 - An exclusive licence to broadcast Irish racing into betting shops in the United Kingdom, Ireland and other countries in Western Europe is being formally agreed today. The Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) and Satellite Information Services Limited (SIS) will sign the agreement at Leopardstown Racecourse this evening, Wednesday 27 June 2001.

SIS has given an undertaking that it will include not less than 255 Irish meetings a year in its services. The Turf Club and SIS have also signed an agreement for the provision of pre race data.

In addition to the main betting shop service, SIS also broadcasts the Irish Service - a service dedicated to exclusive and uninterrupted coverage of almost all Irish meetings.

SIS Chief Executive David Holdgate said "I am delighted to be signing this agreement with the AIR. It reflects the growing popularity of Irish racing both in Ireland and the United Kingdom and its status in the international racing scene.

Our first contract for horseracing was with the Irish racecourses back in 1987 and Irish racing is a key element of our service to betting shops as we move forward. We are still waiting for the RCA to begin the process which I hope will lead to a new agreement for the rights to include racing from the 49 UK courses outside of the GG Media deal in a service to betting shops. Meanwhile, SIS will continue to acquire other product as it becomes available to underline its commitment to remaining the betting industry's preferred supplier."

Signing the agreement for the AIR, Chairman Jerry Desmond responded, "SIS have shown themselves to be deeply committed to the top quality broadcasting of Irish racing. This deal releases more resources for Irish racing whilst giving UK punters the best TV pictures of all our top cards. We are delighted to have SIS as a commercial broadcasting partner."

- ends -