UK-based horseracing group, Arena Leisure, has secured a deal with broadcaster, BSkyB, which could see the resurrection of the horse racing channel, Attheraces.

In a joint venture, Arena and BSkyB also purchased the 33 per cent share in Attheraces that was owned by Channel 4, thereby paving the way for a June relaunch.

Ian Penrose, managing director of Arena Leisure, said: “The new structure for Attheraces will provide the business with the commercial structure and financial stability to build on the foundations established over recent years.”

He added that plans to relaunch the channel to nine million homes in the UK during June were now ‘on course’.

Just days before the deal with BSkyB and Arena, Attheraces announced that it had reached agreements with four racecourse operators – Ascot, Chepstow, GG Media and Arena – to televise live meetings.

The deal increased the amount of UK racecourses working with the channel to 25.

Simon Clarke, deputy chair of Chepstow racecourse, said: “The availability of the channel to cover nine million homes next month will be beneficial to all involved in racing. I hope other courses will join us in backing the channel.”

Attheraces began broadcasting in May 2002 before folding on 29 March this year. It terminated a media rights deal, believed to be around £307m, with 49 racecourses – many of which it now hopes will sign a new deal.