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France Galop appoints HBA Media in a multi-year media-rights distribution deal

Published

4 years ago

May 11, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

France Galop has appointed HBA Media as its dedicated global horseracing distribution partner under a four-year agreement.

As horseracing’s foremost international media rights agency, HBA Media will preside over France Galop’s entire racing portfolio to ensure global broadcast and multi-platform distribution for the world-famous Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a further 26 Group 1 and Group 2 racedays.

HBA Media and France Galop will work collaboratively to elevate the quality of its live and produced racing coverage. There will be renewed emphasis on championing the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – France Galop’s premier event – in productions that will attract new audiences and sports fans to the best of French flat racing.

The announcement follows a string of major acquisitions by HBA Media in the last two years, which included representation agreements with both Ascot Racecourse and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) respectively to manage the international broadcast rights for UK and Irish racing, including the prestigious Royal Meeting, QIPCO British Champions Day, the Cazoo Derby Festival and the Randox Grand National.

HBA Media is responsible for a host of international landmark events, including the Pegasus World Cup, the Saudi Cup, the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the Melbourne Cup, the Breeders’ Cup and the Bahrain International Trophy. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will join HBA Media’s enriched portfolio to form an unrivalled year-long international racing calendar.

Henry Birtles, Chief Executive of HBA Media, said:

“HBA Media is delighted to enter this exciting partnership with France Galop. We are honoured to have been entrusted with managing their illustrious portfolio of events that are watched and loved all over the world.

“Over the past few years, our vision at HBA Media has been focused on the sport of horseracing thriving in an ever-changing media landscape. We are thrilled that France Galop believe in our approach, and we are unrelenting in our mission to showcase this great sport to untapped audiences and secure the best possible global coverage for France Galop and all our clients.”

Delphine Violette, Director Commercial and Marketing for France Galop, said:

“We are very excited to be working with HBA Media, who have proven their dedication, commitment and outstanding knowledge of horseracing and media.

“HBA’s enviable portfolio captures the very best of international horseracing and we are delighted that French racing from ParisLongchamp, Chantilly, Deauville, Auteuil and Saint-Cloud Racecourses will be distributed within this unrivalled year-long global racing calendar.”

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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