Bridgen Steps Down as Head of HRTV

Bridgen Steps Down as Head of HRTV

BOSTON, MA, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- HorseRacing TV(TM) (HRTV) today announced that Bill Bridgen has stepped down from his full-time post as network president but will continue to serve as a special media consultant to Jim McAlpine, President & CEO of Magna Entertainment Corp (MEC), HRTV's parent company.

Among his tasks, Bridgen will assist in the transition of his duties to other members of the existing management team. Under Bridgen's leadership, HRTV has grown from a network concept to a reality with distribution into more than 11.5 million homes.

"HRTV is an integral part of MEC's strategy to deliver the thrill of live horse racing into homes throughout the country", said Jim McAlpine. "Bill has done a great job in the launch phase of HRTV. Today, we have teams in place focused on distribution, production and programming, and sponsorships and advertising. These teams are more than capable of guiding HRTV through the next phase. I am pleased that Bill will be available through a transition period and wish to thank him for his efforts on behalf of the entire MEC family of companies. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

"This arrangement is a perfect fit - it allows me to support MEC in building on the successful momentum at HRTV, while also exploring exciting new career opportunities for my future," Bridgen said. "HRTV is in very capable hands and I am certain it will continue to thrive."

HRTV features television coverage of racetracks owned, operated or managed by MEC. The network also broadcasts live coverage from more than 60 other racetracks in North America. Wagering, where not expressly prohibited by law, is conducted via the phone or Internet through XpressBet(TM) (www.xpressbet.com), MEC's national account wagering system.

MEC, North America's number one owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenue, acquires, develops and operates horse racetracks and related pari-mutuel wagering operations, including off-track betting facilities. MEC's tracks include Santa Anita Park, home of the legendary Seabiscuit and the Sunshine Millions; Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown; Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., home of the Sunshine Millions; and Lone Star Park, host of this year's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. MEC trades on Nasdaq and trades under the symbol MECA and can be found on the Internet at www.magnaent.com.

About HRTV

HRTV (www.hrtv.com) is a 24-hour television network providing up to 15 hours per day of wire-to-wire coverage of live horse racing action from more than 70 thoroughbred, harness and quarter horse racetracks in the United States, Canada and Australia.


Source: HRTV

CONTACT: Jim McAlpine, President & CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp.,
(905) 726-7196


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