RACING: Investec Derby 2013 – Live on Channel 4

Britain’s richest horse race – the Investec Derby, considered the most prestigious of the UK’s five classics – returns to Channel 4 for the first time in 13 years.

Dating back to 1780, the Epsom Derby is still ranked the greatest flat race in the world and with winnings of £1.25m it has one of the biggest prize pots in UK racing, matched only by the prestige that victory on the famous course brings.

Ten live races will be broadcast on Channel 4 over the two days, featuring the Investec Oaks on Friday, May 31, followed by the blue-riband Investec Derby on Saturday, June 1, at 4.00pm.

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WEEKEND WATCH: Sport On The Box – May 25-26

Sport On The Box presents a comprehensive guide to when and where to watch your favourite events this weekend.

With so many great sporting events taking place over one bumper weekend – from Froch v Kessler II to the UEFA Champions League Final, Monaco Grand Prix to French Open tennis and the Aviva Premiership Final to Wentworth’s BMW PGA Championship, it is all set to be a unmissable 48 hours for armchair fans.

ATHLETICS: Channel 4 to screen three major para-athletics events in 2013

Channel 4 has confirmed it will broadcast a triple-header of international para-athletics events this summer, following on from its hugely successful coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The broadcaster, which recently won a BAFTA award for its coverage of the 2012 Paralympics, will screen terrestrial coverage of the first ever Sainsbury’s IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final from Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on June 29.

A month later, Channel 4 will also show the final day of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, July 28,  as well as extended coverage of the IPC Athletics World Championships from Lyon, which runs from July 19-28.

AWARDS: Channel 4 wins BAFTA award for London 2012 Paralympics coverage

Channel 4 has won the BAFTA TV award in the ‘Sport and Live Event’ category for its ground-breaking coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The broadcaster fought off strong competition from the production team behind the London 2012 opening ceremony, as well as BBC Sport’s coverage of ‘Super Saturday’ at the London 2012 Olympics and the Wimbledon men’s singles final.

Commenting on stage on behalf of the Channel 4 on-air team at the ceremony staged at London’s Royal Festival Hall, former Paralympian Ade Adepitan, who co-presented alongside Clare Balding at the Games, said he was in shock that the broadcaster had claimed the prize.

RACING: QIPCO Guineas Festival 2013 – Live on Channel 4

The historic QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket sees a selection of Europe’s finest racehorses going head-to-head over the Rowley Mile in the famous 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas races, live on Channel 4 Racing.

This year’s festival is set to be even bigger than ever as the racecourse celebrates the 200th running of the 1,000 Guineas, one of British racing’s five Classics.

Providing the annual curtain raiser for the new Flat season, the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas kicks off the 2013 QIPCO British Champions Series and represents a great opportunity to capitalise on the buzz of a new season.

AWARDS: Clare Balding to receive special BAFTA TV award

Sports presenter Clare Balding is to receive a special award at next month’s BAFTA Television Awards.

She will be recognised for her ‘Outstanding Achievement in Factual Presenting’ at the ceremony to be held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on May 12.

The BAFTA committee described her work covering London 2012 – on the BBC for the Olympics and on Channel 4 for the Paralympics – had made her ‘a national treasure’.

AWARDS: Olympics, Paralympics and Wimbledon nominated for 2013 BAFTA TV sport award

The shortlist for the 2013 Arqiva BAFTA Television Awards have been announced with London 2012-related programmes and events dominating the main sports category.

The ‘Sport and Live Event’ nominations include the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, the BBC’s coverage of Olympic ‘Super Saturday’ and the 2012 Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final, as well as Channel 4’s Paralympic Games coverage.

Danny Boyle’s spectacular opening ceremony, which was broadcast live on BBC One to a record 30m viewers, is also nominated in the Radio Times Audience Award category, which is the only award decided by the public.