Trainers have struck a deal over access payments - what's in the agreement and how will it work?

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A new deal has been struck between the National Trainers Federation (NTF) and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) that will provide the broadcaster with greater access to trainers in return for additional promotion and a financial contribution. The partnership comes a year after trainers aligned to the Professional Racing Association (PRA) threatened to refuse media engagements unless they started to receive payments similar to those made to the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA). Below, we take a look at the details . . .

What is the deal between the NTF and RMG?

RMG, the parent company of Racing TV and the organisation responsible for negotiating media rights agreements for Jockey Club racecourse and a number of others, such as York and Goodwood, will work actively with the NTF on a number of initiatives in what is described as a “two-year partnership”. 

These include creating more behind-the-scenes content, along with material that is “newsworthy and beneficial to NTF members”. 

It will also involve RTV conducting more regular interviews with trainers, with an emphasis on increasing exposure for smaller yards, and assisting with on and off-course events.

What are trainers getting out of this?

As well as the additional and more regular exposure being promised by RMG to trainers, the NTF will receive “an annual contribution to cover [its] legal expenses insurance”.

According to the NTF, its legal expenses insurance “is designed to meet the business needs of an NTF member, including representation at BHA disciplinary matters and cover for employment disputes, subject to the policy terms being met”. 

Jockeys have received a contribution towards their injury insurance scheme since 2008Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A similar arrangement has been in place since 2008 between broadcasters and the PJA, whereby the jockeys’ body receives a payment towards its injury insurance scheme in return for seamless access to the riders.

The discrepancy perceived by trainers between the means of access to them and to jockeys almost resulted in a boycott of on-course interviews at the start of last year.

What was the planned boycott and why did it not happen?

The PRA, a breakaway organisation created by former BHB chairman and Plumpton racecourse owner Peter Savill, had steadily increased its membership by the start of last year on the foundation of securing higher prize-money and financial input from tracks for participants.

On January 24 last year, the Racing Post exclusively reported that the PRA had contacted RMG asking for £500,000 in return for interviews from February 1. 

The PRA also approached Sky Sports Racing and ITV, although the terms were not publicised, with a boycott applying to live racing interviews should the payments not be received by the deadline.

Dan Skelton said “the vast majority of trainers are behind this” in the days building up to February 1, while Paul Johnson, NTF chief executive, said trainers needed to work with racecourses on commercial deals.

However, after a ratcheting up of tensions, the PRA called off its boycott on January 29 in the “best interests of the sport”.

The following month, the PRA said it would “temporarily withdraw” from its work having not received support from the NTF or the Thoroughbred Group.

Paul Johnson: hoping for greater exposure for smaller trainersCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

‘A hugely positive step’

The agreement between RMG and the NTF was described as “mutually beneficial” by RMG chief executive Nick Mills and “brilliant news for the sport” by NTF president Nick Alexander. 

Johnson added: “We see this agreement with RMG as a hugely positive step. We hope this will provide access to the production of content from trainers’ businesses that consumers of the sport will find really engaging and insightful.  

“At the same time, the financial support that this will provide to mitigate the cost of the trainers’ legal expenses insurance scheme will help all trainers. 

“One of the underlying aims of the collaboration is to do more to support small training businesses, a need that cannot be underestimated at a time when many are under increasing pressure.”

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