The Press Association has been appointed as the official Pre-Race Data distributor for British horseracing in an agreement to run until the end of 2018.

The contract with PA covers the distribution of PRD – both domestically and overseas – to all media outlets including newspapers, websites, broadcasters, media businesses, mobile platforms,  bookmakers, online betting companies, racing authorities, and racecourses.

PRD is the key component of information required to take a bet and includes information such as final fields, owners, trainers, jockeys, weight, colours, draw, and ratings.

Jim Donnelley, PA’s Director of Racing, said: “We are delighted to be named official Pre-Race Data distributors for British horseracing by RDC this week. This announcement confirms PA’s position within the sports industry as a trusted and reliable source of racing and sports betting data.”

Richard Fitzgerald and Tony Kelly,  directors of the Racecourse Data Company said: “The contract with PA provides customers with the confidence of a long-term deal for what is a very significant piece of data, and gives licensed betting operators, in particular, certainty up to 2018.

“Clearly, PA and the customers they service understand the value of reliable and official data. We look forward to working closely with both distributors in the best interests of the sport.”