Top jockey Bryan Cooper has called for Netflix to step in and help preserve the future of Irish racing, as the sport faces threats from top broadcasters like Racing TV and Sky. The looming challenge comes in the wake of Ireland's new gambling bill, which has left broadcasters uncertain about the future of their racing coverage.
In a recent interview, Cooper said there is an urgent need for racing to attract new fans and participants to ensure its survival. Drawing attention to the popularity of jockeys riding at Galway and the positive impact of a win on a season, Cooper highlighted the significance of keeping the sport entertaining.
"I watched the NFL documentary that came out last week, every sport is doing it now. I know we had the documentary with Oisin Murphy on Prime, but it would be very beneficial to the sport if there was a Netflix documentary that came out because that's how you're going to get more people involved in the sport," said Cooper speaking about Galway festival odds
The former Gold Cup winner expressed concern about the possibility of Irish horse racing not being broadcast on TV due to the threats made by broadcasters like Sky and Racing TV. He emphasised the critical role TV coverage plays in attracting viewers and sponsors, with betting companies heavily contributing to broadcast advertising and funding.
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"People that aren't involved in racing like to go and have a small bet and they're the type of people that you would like to try and get more involved in racing. It's scary that the racing might not be broadcast on TV. You need to show racing on TV to attract a new audience, just like every sport that is there with rugby and GAA. We're in a big spot of bother if Irish horse racing isn't broadcast.
"The next week or two will be really important for racing in Ireland. Broadcast advertising and funding rely heavily on betting companies and if they aren't able to promote what they do on live TV then they will lose a lot of money. I'm hoping Sky and Racing TV don't follow through with the threats because there will be a big problem.
Cooper recognised the importance of social media in today's world and its potential for increasing the sport's visibility. He praised jockeys like Oisin Murphy, Tom Marquand, and Hollie Doyle for their excellent use of social media to engage with fans and promote racing. He encouraged other Irish jockeys to follow suit,
"A lot of the top jockeys in Ireland aren't very good on social media but it's a big part of the world now and it's the way to go for getting yourself out there. What Oisin Murphy, Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle are doing is fantastic on social media, they're very good at it. I think a few people in Ireland should start doing it as well then you hope the more it will drag people from outside the industry to come into it."
The Galway Races will run from Monday, July 21, 5:10 pm – Sunday, August 6, 2023
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