Martin Cruddace said he would be "very surprised" if racecourses changed their position on the ownership of raceday data rights that has led to a stand-off with the British Horseracing Authority and a hold-up in the creation of a new independent board for British racing.
It emerged this month that racecourses were holding off from approving changes to the board, which new BHA chair Lord Charles Allen had demanded as an essential part of him taking the role, over concerns the BHA would seek to commercialize data such as non-runners when an existing contract expires at the end of 2028.
Cruddace, the chief executive of Arena Racing Company, said Jan. 18: "We understood there were clear assurances that when it came to racecourses who own their rights—and they are like our uranium—the BHA, under the new regime, and the new board, would not seek to fetter or interfere with those rights. So I'd be very surprised if that position changed."
A separate disagreement over data has led to customers of Betfred not being able to watch live action from tracks represented by The Racing Partnership in betting shops, while online punters have experienced a withdrawal of concessions such as best odds guaranteed.
A deal was struck between Betfred and TRP to enable racing to be shown from Ascot Racecourse Jan. 17, but negotiations are continuing to take place between the bookmaker and the media rights group to allow live pictures to return for other TRP courses, such as Newbury and those owned and operated by Arc.
Speaking on Sky Sports Racing, Cruddace said: "I think it's a very legitimate negotiation. I think Fred (Done, Betfred's founder and chairman) is an incredible partner of British horseracing and us. I'm confident, with the constructive dialogue going on, we'll seek a solution - and we're anxious to seek a solution.
"I've had a very constructive conversation with the CEO (Joanne Whittaker) about how we need to break the impasse, because I don't think it helps Fred, and it certainly doesn't help us."
