Go Racing, the consortium set up by Channel 4, Sky and Arena Leisure, said last night it was close to acquiring all media and related rights for British horse racing.
The consortium has received acceptances from some high-profile and profitable racecourses, including Ascot, Cheltenham, Epsom, Newmarket, Sandown and York.
The courses that have agreed to Go Racing's bid represent 71 per cent of betting turnover - the British Horse Racing Board put 2000 income at about £5bn.
Go Racing had set itself a target of 70 per cent - had they failed to make this, they would have withdrawn from any possible deal. It believes the deal will be worth £750m over the ten-year period.
Under the transaction, Go Racing will pay £400m for the terrestrial, digital and Internet betting rights for the next ten years - funding will be split equally between the three members.
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