Distribution deal sees leading North American racing provider extend its scope of influence across LATAM, starting with new integration with leading Ecuadorian operator

1/ST CONTENT – the pre-eminent provider of premium content for North American horse racing and a key division of 1/ST, the biggest racing company in the Americas – has broadened its growing international footprint with the announcement of a progressive partnership with America Simulcast, a leading LATAM distributor.

Sportbet, a major operator in the Ecuador space, is already under contract to integrate exclusive data and signals (broadcast and video streaming) from the partnership’s content package. This deal has begun with commingling bets into the US pools via Sportbet’s retail outlets, before adding fixed-odds betting and online channels in the coming weeks, scaling activity which provides an immediate validation of this forward-thinking America Simulcast collaboration.

Overarchingly, this strategic agreement also grants America Simulcast the rights to distribute signals from all 1/ST CONTENT-participating racetracks in the United States and Canada, alongside Latin America and South America.

The collective aim is to bring the visceral thrill and engagement of North American horse racing to a broader audience in LATAM, fostering a new era of sports entertainment in a patchwork-quilt landscape of many previously underserved racing fans.

By leveraging 1/ST CONTENT’s unparalleled expertise in capturing and broadcasting live racing events, coupled with America Simulcast’s extensive distribution network and market reach, fans across LATAM can now enjoy the best-in-class racing experience from the comfort of their homes, or on the move.

Key highlights of the agreement include:

1. Comprehensive Coverage: America Simulcast will have access to the exclusive signals of all racetracks in the United States, Canada and South America (with Turkey to follow this summer), ensuring an extensive and diverse range of racing content for LATAM audiences.
2. Cutting-Edge Technology: 1/ST CONTENT‘s state-of-the-art technology will deliver high-quality, immersive broadcasts, providing viewers with an unparalleled access to live racing and informative content that both engages the seasoned viewer and educates those unfamiliar with the sport.
3. Enhanced Viewer Engagement: America Simulcast will work closely with 1/ST CONTENT to develop innovative marketing strategies, promotions, and engagement initiatives, enhancing the overall viewer experience and building a dedicated racing community in LATAM.

Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, said: “1/ST CONTENT is delighted to establish a strategic relationship with America Simulcast to broaden the international reach of North American racing across LATAM.

“Thoroughbred racing already enjoys a storied heritage and strong following across countries like Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Peru, which have produced some high-class thoroughbreds, trainers and, above all, jockeys who have regularly plied their trade in the States as well.

“So, on the one hand, many LATAM enthusiasts are keen to back their local favourites in the U.S. and have already picked up an understanding as to the North American racing scene. On the other hand, in a continent where soccer is naturally king, we can also provide a more educational service and supporting marketing structure around this content in order to make it easily intelligible to unfamiliar audiences.

“North American racing will continue to help global operators engage new and underserved audiences by delivering 24/7 horse racing, allowing us to return the value to a host of U.S. racetracks and their key stakeholders.

“Thanks to this breakout relationship with our friends at America Simulcast and Sportbet, we can also provide a more educational service and supporting marketing structure around this content so that we can make it relevant to both seasoned fans and unfamiliar audiences.

“Additionally, working with our alliance partners at Racing1 – the newly founded complete service hub for international racing – we are now able to distribute this content more broadly than ever before. To which end, after the initial U.S. launch, our Racing1 partners from the UK and Australia will be able to take the opportunity to go live as well.”

Javier Pereira, CEO of America Simulcast, added: “Our collaboration with 1/ST CONTENT marks a momentous occasion for racing enthusiasts in LATAM. We are excited to be the exclusive distributor of the signals from all racetracks in the United States and Canada, delivering top-notch content to our viewers. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to provide premium sports entertainment, and we look forward to a successful journey with 1/ST CONTENT.”

1/ST CONTENT – the pre-eminent provider of premium content for North American horse racing and a key division of 1/ST RACING, the biggest racing company in the Americas – has broadened its growing international footprint with the announcement of a progressive partnership with American Racing Channel, a leading LatAm distributor which holds the rights to the two foremost racetracks in Uruguay at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas and the Las Piedras Racetrack.

Grupo Codere, the powerhouse international operator for Hispanic markets, has already agreed to integrate exclusive fixed-odds content, data and signals (broadcast and video streaming) from both Las Piedras and Maroñas. The latter track’s national flagship, the Group 1 Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez, takes place on 6 January 2025, and also boasts a stellar racecard which features a host of other top-class action, like the Group 1 Ciudad de Montevideo, the Maroñas and the Piñeyrua (both Group 3s).

By leveraging 1/ST CONTENT’s unparalleled expertise in capturing and broadcasting live racing events, coupled to a truly international distribution network and worldwide reach, global fans can now enjoy a best-in-breed racing experience from the comfort of their homes, or on the move.

Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President of International at 1/ST CONTENT, said: “1/ST CONTENT is delighted to establish this partnership with American Racing Channel to broaden the international appeal of Uruguayan horse racing from these two elite racecourses, especially as the famous Ramírez festival hoves into view in early January in the capital of Montevideo.

“Horse racing already benefits from a strong history and robust following across Uruguay and proximate countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, which have produced some high-quality thoroughbreds, trainers and, above all, jockeys who have regularly showcased their skills in the States as well.

“Thanks to this breakout relationship with our friends at American Racing Channel and Codere, we can also provide a more educational service and supporting marketing structure around this content in order to make it easily intelligible to both seasoned fans and unfamiliar audiences.

“Furthermore, working with our alliance partners at Racing1 – the newly founded complete service hub for international racing – we are now able to distribute this content more broadly than ever before. Indeed, racing from the Americas is a great way to help global operators engage new and underserved audiences by delivering 24/7 horse racing, allowing us to return the value to two more stunning racetracks and their hard-working stakeholders.”

Horacio Esposito, Vice President of American Racing Channel (ARC), said: “We are very happy and excited to widen our services for Maroñas and Las Piedras racecourses, now including fixed-odds distribution, thanks to this partnership with our friends at 1/ST CONTENT. Our long-term relationship with the Uruguayan racing industry is a true commitment to collaborate in the growing of the business, and this latest deal demonstrates that progressive intent.”

1/ST CONTENT’s daily timetable of engaging action, whose chronology naturally complements international racing coverage across varied time-zones, provides 1/ST CONTENT’s global partners with a reliable source of fast-settling betting content at peak leisure-time viewing slots throughout diverse territories.

1/ST CONTENT, the leading provider of premium content for North American horse racing, has reached exclusive new deal terms for its ongoing three-year contract option with Breeders’ Cup Limited, strengthening both parties’ progressive partnership around content rights, data, fixed-odds, and signals for the ultimate festival of global Thoroughbred racing.

This milestone agreement encompasses worldwide broadcast and video-streaming distribution relating to fixed-odds wagering on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for 1/ST CONTENT’s array of international sportsbook partners outside of North America.

The forthcoming edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races worth $33 million in purses and awards, will be staged later this year (November 1-2) at beautiful Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Southern California, providing a flagship finale to the flat and dirt racing calendar, including the season-defining $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

These championship contests combine to bolster 1/ST CONTENT’s market-leading position for distribution, mapping over 80% of all North American racing and opening the door to many of the world’s most prestigious races – from the Triple Crown to the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park on January 25 and the inaugural California Crown (G1) at Santa Anita on September 28, now a natural stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup itself.

Once again, all races will be available for broadcast via 1/ST CONTENT’s partner at Sky Sports Racing in the UK and Ireland, as well as across a host of other international media partners’ digital channels. This timetable of engaging United States action, whose chronology naturally complements international racing coverage across varied time zones from Europe to Australia, provides 1/ST CONTENT’s global partners with another high-quality source of fast-settling betting content at both primetime and off-peak viewing slots.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships will feature best-in-class safety, integrity and equine welfare protocols implemented in collaboration with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), its Horse Racing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB). Further, through its ground-breaking alliance with Total Performance Data (TPD) – the definitive source of live GPS-tracking data for racing – 1/ST CONTENT is also deepening in-play fan engagement at Del Mar this year, delivering in-running betting for all races.

“The Breeders’ Cup is happy to renew and grow our close collaboration with 1/ST CONTENT in order to widen the reach of our global championship event,” said Justin McDonald, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Breeders’ Cup Limited.

“As a result, sports fans and bettors around the world can look forward to more in-depth coverage of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from the most revered racetracks in the United States over the coming years, including the next two renewals at Del Mar. We look forward to seeing our elite portfolio of races showcased to more and more fans across both mature and emerging markets.”

Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President of International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: “It’s an honour to continue working in stride with the Breeders’ Cup team and some of our nation’s finest racetracks to promote a world-class festival that continues to operate at the zenith of its powers for prize funds and international participation. And our growing global audience of fixed-odds bettors outside of the States bear fitting tribute to that fact.

“Our continued commitment is to support the Breeders’ Cup’s efforts to deliver its horse racing content and wagering to a worldwide stage. We know our natural synergies will reliably benefit horse racing’s consumer economy, both at home and abroad. And speaking more broadly, this deal represents another significant step in ensuring that North American racing’s stakeholders secure their warranted status as the primary beneficiaries of revenues generated through international wagering.”