Dubai Comes To Aid Of Channel 4 Racing

The Middle Eastern nation of Dubai has come to the rescue of Channel 4’s commitment to horse racing after Dubai Holding, an investment group owned by the country’s government, entered into sponsorship negotiations for the coverage.

Dubai Holding, which owns and controls companies including Tussauds Group, Travelodge and the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, are in contract talks with the broadcaster over a two-year £4m sponsorship deal.

The deal on the table covers 80 days a year of Channel 4 terrestrial horse racing coverage.

Last month Andrew Thompson, Channel 4’s head of sport, warned that the show’s live coverage of racing would end unless a new sponsor was found.

Totesport pulled out after just 12 months of a proposed three-year contract after changes to the Gambling Act enabled bookmakers to advertise during sports broadcasts.

Dubai Holding is a company that belongs to the government of Dubai. The ruler of the emirate, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, controls almost all of the company. It in turn controls a range of companies in areas including private equity, real estate, media and finance.