British and Irish racing has been shown in Finland for the first time, via the GBI Racing broadcast service.
GBI Racing in Finland was launched in Helsinki earlier this month, with MPs, Miss Finland winners past and present, Finland’s Eurovision Song Contest entrant Krista Siegfrids (pictured) and British jockey Kirsty Milczarek all present.
The racing is being broadcast on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in Finland’s 1,200 betting outlets as well as internet betting sites via Finland’s tote operator Fintoto.
Nick Mills, GBI Racing territory director, said: “The amount of media interest around the launch was huge and hopefully will reflect the country’s appetite for British and Irish Racing.
“Fintoto has been filming in the UK ahead of its weekly terrestrial programme, which shows how seriously the betting and racing operator is taking the partnership.
"Overseas betting revenue benefits the industry as a whole in the UK, so we are very grateful to Great British Racing for helping facilitate the filming, and it shows the benefits of a collaborative approach," added Mills.
Pertti Koskenniemi, business development director and vice executive president of Fintoto, said: "Fintoto is excited about bringing the fascinating and glamorous sport of thoroughbred horse racing to the Finnish people both through the betting shops and terrestrial television.
"We are confident that the public will take a keen interest in the GBI Racing service and we look forward to working together,” said Koskenniemi.
