The PA to acquire Australian racing data and media group RAS in deal due to close in February 2027

The PA, a multimedia news agency, has announced an agreement to acquire RAS Technology Holdings Limited, the owner of Racing and Sports. The announcement was made on October 19. The financial terms were not disclosed.

Under a binding scheme implementation deed, The PA will acquire all of the issued shares in RAS. The companies said the combination will let them draw on their expertise in global racing and sports data, technology and wagering services, as well as what they describe as a shared record of delivering timely, accurate and trusted data.

The PA said the transaction gives it access to Australia's mature betting market. Once the deal closes, the two businesses plan to use the Wagering 360 platform to offer a complete solution to media and betting partners. Customers are expected to gain a wider product range, broader international coverage and a faster delivery pipeline. The PA has been involved in horse racing for around four decades, and its Podium sports betting division supplies racing and sports data to bookmakers and broadcasters.

RAS was founded in 1999 and listed publicly in 2021. It has built relationships with racing bodies and sportsbooks across Australia and Asia, and it operates in sports technology, analytics and digital media.

The companies expect the transaction to complete in February 2027. It remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, and the RAS board has recommended that its shareholders vote in favour of the scheme.

Emily Shelley, chief executive of The PA, said the two companies share values around trust and integrity and have complementary strengths and global reach. She said that, combined with The PA's heritage and Podium's technology, the deal will help develop new products faster and support the long-term growth of racing and the wider sports industry.

Stephen Crispe, chief executive of Racing and Sports, described the agreement as an important step for his team, its clients and the company's legacy. Josh Sparke, managing director of Podium, pointed to the natural synergies between the businesses and said the fit between their data, technology and product strengths should create a stronger global proposition for racing and sport.