HBA Media will yet again distribute and secure an extended international audience for the Breeders’ Cup and the Lexus Melbourne Cup across the globe in just three days. The two November showcase races, which are the pinnacle of the flat racing calendar, will be distributed by HBA Media to a host of networks alongside a dedicated one-hour programme titled International Classic Hour (ICH).

In the US, the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is the defining event of the international racing season drawing top international Thoroughbreds year after year. Staged on Saturday, 3rd November, the race is notoriously hard to predict and often ends in a truly nail-biting finish. The race is the culmination of two superb days of racing, available to all broadcasters.

Three days later, on the other side of the world, the starting gates of the Lexus Melbourne Cup will crash open. Held on Tuesday, 6th November, the race is Australia's most prestigious annual thoroughbred event and is truly “The Race That Stops A Nation” with the introduction of a bank holiday to celebrate the occasion!

Will Oscroft, Managing Director of HBA Media, said: “HBA Media provide broadcasters with an array of options for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Lexus Melbourne Cup. This year, we have aligned teams working in both countries to ensure the highest quality production, content and coverage for both International Classic Hour (ICH) shows.

“These live or on-demand programmes, which are designed to appeal to an extended international racing fanbase, are available for multi-platform usage. Alternatively, we can provide the host broadcaster’s feed if better suited.

“Should broadcasters wish to incorporate either of these prestigious races or content within their schedules, we would urge them to contact HBA Media to discuss options.”

Commenting on the ongoing relationship between race organisers of the Melbourne Cup, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and HBA Media, David Campbell, Media Partnerships Manager for the VRC, explains: “HBA Media has played a pivotal role in expanding the distribution of the Melbourne Cup Carnival across the globe. They have not only been instrumental in developing localised content for each market but also expanding across multiple platforms to an accessible audience and driving strong commercial outcomes. We look to forward to working closely with HBA Media in the future.”

Peter Rotondo, Vice President for Media & Entertainment at the Breeders’ Cup, said: “ We are delighted that HBA Media is continuing to distribute the Breeders’ Cup Classic to broadcasters around the world. Their coordination and delivery of the event continues to be excellent.”

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Press contact: Rachel Yandell / rachel@hbamedia.tv / +44 (0)1666 822 769