Channel 4 wins Grand National rights

Channel 4 have secured a four-year agreement to screen the Grand National from 2013.

The broadcaster has also won the rights to show the Derby and Royal Ascot, ending an association between the sport and the BBC that stretches back over 50 years.

"We are of course disappointed that we have lost the rights, but we are pleased that all the races in the contract remain free-to-air," said BBC director of sport Barbara Slater. "Our coverage this year will mark the end of a partnership covering some of the key events of British racing that extends over 50 years.

"The BBC are proud of their long heritage of broadcasting horse racing and put in as competitive a bid as possible in the current climate."

Negotiations are currently underway regarding the radio rights for the major racing events.