TVG to Broadcast Horse Racing’s Cheltenham Festival

March 12, 2012

TVG, America’s Horseracing Network, will televise the four-day 2012 Cheltenham Festival, jump racing’s most prestigious event, live from scenic Cheltenham Racecourse in England’s idyllic Cotswold region, beginning next Tuesday.

The Festival includes 28 events that feature the sport’s leading horses, jockeys and trainers.

“The Cheltenham Festival is the Super Bowl of jump racing played out over four days,” said Tony Allevato, TVG Executive Vice President. “We are excited to present all the action and drama of this unique equestrian event for our audience, many of whom might be experiencing it for the first time.”

Highlighting the Cheltenham Festival is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, scheduled for Friday at 10:20 a.m. ET. Contested at a distance of 3 5/16 miles over a course that includes 22 fences, the race is expected to feature a matchup between defending champion Long Runand two-time (2007, ’09) winner Kauto Star. Long Run, a 7-year-old, is ridden by Ruby Walsh, while Kauto Star, a 12-year-old, is guided by Sam Waley-Cohen, two of jump racing’s most popular jockeys.

by Ismail Uddin