Balding keeping options open after ‘sad’ BBC decision

Channel 4 is, from 2013, to show all terrestrial racing, including the Grand National, Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby, in a contract that is due to last for at least four years.

Balding has, in recent years, become synonymous with BBC racing but has already been linked with a possible transfer to Channel 4 when the broadcaster assumes televised autonomy of the sport.

Although disappointed by the news, Balding, who works for the BBC in a freelance capacity, said on Twitter she would not be making any hasty decisions.

She said: “Desperately sad that BBC TV has lost all rights to cover horse racing. I’ve worked with some wonderful & talented folk over the last 16 yrs.

“I’m immensely proud of everything we have done on BBC TV & of the team I’ve worked with at BBC Sport. I’ve given it my life & soul. I’m not rushing into any decisions about what I will do in the future – 2012 is a busy enough year to keep me on my toes & then we’ll see.”

The BBC have shown just 13 days of live racing since 2010 and have abandoned live televised racing due to reported budgetary cuts.

Instead, BBC funds will be directed towards retaining events such as the Six Nations rugby union and Formula One, which they now share with Sky.

The deal means British Champions Day at Ascot, the culmination of the season-long British Champions Series, will also feature on Channel 4 for the first time in 2013.

Sir Peter O’Sullevan was the BBC’s racing commentator for 50 years until his retirement in 1997.

He was dubbed the “voice of racing”, and described the loss of the channel’s coverage of the sport as a “sad development”.

“It’s very poor. It’s been on the cards for a while and the BBC’s lack of enthusiasm has crystallised into this decision,” he said.

“I think it is very regrettable for a national broadcaster to want to opt out of one of our traditional premier sports.

“The Beeb did racing quite well and I think racing was very good for the Beeb. They did a fair job.

“It’s a sad development, and I’m sure The Queen will find it regrettable that a sport she has embraced so enthusiastically should not be represented on the national channel. It appears to me to be fairly unacceptable.”

Lancastrian racing journalist John Sexton has been appointed chairman of ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ following the retirement of Simon Channon.

Sexton, the only regional evening newspaper journalist to be named ‘Racing Journalist of the Year’ – in 1991 – built his reputation during a 10-year stint as president of The Horserace Writers’ & Photographers’ Association while he was Racing Editor of the Wolverhampton Express & Star.