Channel 4 invest in the Investec Derby

The Investec Derby is Britain’s richest horse race – considered the most prestigious of the country’s five classics – and returns to Channel 4 following a 12-year sabbatical. 

Reinforcing the channel’s commitment to horseracing as the sport’ sole terrestrial broadcaster, Channel 4 has filmed a brand new marketing trail ahead of the two-day Festival (May 31st and June 1st).

Filmed earlier this month at Cobham Test Track, Longcross Proving Ground in Surrey; the Derby trail features three horses sprinting down the A24 on-route to Epsom being chased by a traffic patrol car.

Four versions of the dash to Epsom Racecourse will be shown across all Channel 4 networks from Wednesday, May 22nd - providing the great national event with a 10 day build-up. 

The campaign has been produced by Channel 4’s in house creative agency 4creative – the team behind 2012’s acclaimed Meet the Superhumans Paralympics campaign and the Original Extreme Sport campaign for The Grand National earlier this year.  Creative Directors were Chris Bovill and John Allison with Keith McCarthy as Director.

The Investec Derby Festival is live on Channel 4 on Friday May 31st and Saturday, June 1st.  Coverage starts 1:10pm on Friday, with Saturday’s Morning Line launching Channel 4’s Derby Day programming with afternoon racing live from 1:00pm.  Clare Balding and Nick Luck lead the racing team that includes Jim McGrath, Graham Cunningham, Mick Fitzgerald, Rishi Persad, Emma Spencer, Tanya Stevenson and Simon Holt.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

• The Devil's Horsemen, a Buckinghamshire-based company that specialise in equine stunts for films and commercials, supplied the thoroughbreds that galloped down turf tracks and cushioned tarmac.
• The Investec Derby is a group one flat horse race open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies; and is run over one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 metres).

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