'It's a very rare opportunity' - Salisbury thrilled with ITV4 date in August

Salisbury executive director Jeremy Martin is hoping the track's most prestigious race can serve up a treat for ITV4 viewers when the racecourse becomes the main base for a mainstream television programme for the first time in 15 years.

Thanks to ITV opting to broadcast racing on four Sundays next month, Salisbury has been chosen as the principal venue on August 9, when the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes will be one of four contests shown from a venue that has been staging racing for 435 years.

Although ITV traditionally airs one Salisbury handicap on 1,000 Guineas and Dante Stakes day, not since the BBC's Grandstand took three races in October 2005 has Salisbury been properly showcased on mainstream television. The track was also due to provide racing for the BBC in 2004 but its intended meetings were abandoned.

"We're obviously thrilled," said Martin.

"This August Sunday is a new date allocated to us by the BHA. I was made aware by colleagues at Racecourse Media Group that it looked as though we would be the lead fixture on ITV, so long as we could provide a suitable programme of races.

"We have kindly been allowed to bring forward the Sovereign Stakes from August 13 and the BHA's racing department has also ensured we have an interesting supporting programme for ITV.

ITV Racing's August Sunday schedule

August 9: Salisbury, Thirsk and the Curragh
August 16: Newbury and Ripon
August 23: Sandown, Naas and Chester or Cartmel
August 30: Goodwood and Perth

"It's a very rare opportunity for a track like Salisbury to be the main meeting on a terrestrial programme. The last time it happened here was in October 2005 when we staged a transferred Ascot fixture and ran the Autumn and Cornwallis Stakes. I'll never forget it because Dylan Thomas was a neck second in the Autumn Stakes – in my 20 years here it was the only time I can remember Aidan O'Brien sending runners."

Asked if he would be keen to maintain the Sunday date if ITV coverage could be secured in the future, Martin added: "This is a new fixture and we may not even have the slot in 2021 and beyond. It would need the approval of the Flat Pattern Committee but if there was an opportunity for this to become a regulate date I would be very keen for it to continue."

Cartmel could enjoy mainstream television coverage for the first time next monthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Thirsk is also expected to be shown by ITV4 on August 9, while Perth will be another smaller racecourse in the spotlight alongside Goodwood on August 30. Seven days earlier Cartmel is on the verge of achieving its first ever mainstream television window assuming Chester's scheduled meeting is unable to be held due to safety protocols.

The Chester management this week confirmed it could not hold meetings until at least the end of August because the city walls and open course are public land, meaning controlling social distancing would be a major challenge.

"It would be fabulous," said Cartmel general manager Geraldine McKay. "There would normally be a big crowd here on a day like that, and it's a shame the ITV viewers won't be able to see that, but this is such a beautiful racecourse and we're keeping fingers crossed it might happen."

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