MUMBAI: Channel 4 has awarded IMG Sports Media the four-year production contract for the corporation?s exclusive horse racing coverage.

The deal includes all the sport?s premium events from January 2013 ? Cheltenham Festival, Aintree?s three-day John Smith?s Grand National meeting, the Investec Derby Festival from Epsom Downs, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the entire Flat Season QIPCO British Champions Series.

The agreement, in operation from January 2013 till December 2016, runs alongside Channel 4?s four-year media agreement with Racecourse Media Group. In addition, Channel 4 Racing sponsors, Dubai, have signed a new four-year extension deal until 2016.

Channel 4 has also announced that acclaimed sports broadcaster Clare Balding will join as the lead presenter of Channel 4 Racing from 1 January. Her expertise and warmth will bring a new audience to the programmes, working alongside a combination of familiar and new talent to be announced later in the year.

Carl Hicks, BBC Sport Senior Programme Editor, will join IMG Sports Media to head up the team as Executive Producer, having recently edited the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The digital propositions for Channel 4?s horse racing coverage formed an important part of the tender process and Channel 4 and IMG Sports Media will relaunch channel4.com/racing and build new presences on other digital platforms.