Inspired, Jockey Club to develop Virtual Grand National

Inspired Gaming Group has agreed a deal with The Jockey Club, the group that oversees the running of 15 of the UK’s leading racecourses, to develop a virtual game based on showpiece racing event the Grand National.

Aintree, the track that hosts the annual race, will be used as the backdrop for a new suite of products, with the virtual horse race being the showpiece offering.

Other products include the ‘Virtual Grand National Race of Champions’, which is to run once a year and feature legendary names from previous editions of the race.

In addition, Inspired will launch ‘The Virtual Grand National’, a second Aintree race that features the declared runners and riders in any given year.

Aintree becomes the first UK racecourse to be featured daily in Inspired virtual horse races.

“The Race of Champions will capture the imagination of the millions of people who love the Grand National and it will allow them to pour over the form, the odds and the achievements of these exceptional horses of yesteryear at their peak and those of today,” Aintree Racecourse managing director John Baker said.

Steve Rogers, chief commercial officer digital games at Inspired, added: “Inspired’s virtual races are seen in over 50,000 outlets worldwide and have become a key part of sports betting globally; the introduction of the most famous course, Aintree, into this virtual world enables us to offer our customers a unique product which will clearly differentiate us from other providers in the sector.

“Seeing 41 virtual horses thundering around the famous Aintree course in Ultra HD with complete flexibility over camera positions promises to be something very special, and we are delighted to be a part of this collaborative project with Carm Productions and the Jockey Club.”

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