June 19, 2020

The Australian Turf Club has paid tribute to the life and a long and significant contribution to Australian thoroughbred racing following the passing of businessman, owner and racehorse breeder Mr Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.

Mr Cojuangco passed away peacefully this week at age 85.

For more than 40 years in Australia, Mr Cojuangco under the banner of Gooree Park in Mudgee has raced and breed a host of champion racehorses such as Desert War, Don Eduardo and Tempest Morn.

Many more of his best racegoers have successfully continued their careers at stud at Gooree Park including Northern Meteor, Smart Missile, Hallowed Crown, Your Song and Prized Icon.

In the year 2000, Mr Cojuangco as head of Asia’s biggest brewer San Miguel joined with the Australian Jockey Club in sponsoring the Club’s Autumn Carnival at Royal Randwick.

Total prizemoney of $8 million was at the time the biggest single sponsorship deal and created the richest racing carnival in the southern hemisphere.

Australian Turf Club Chairman Matthew McGrath said Mr Cojuangco was one of the Australian racing industry’s most significant supporters.

“Mr Cojuangco’s personal support along with that of San Miguel brought levels of prizemoney, sponsorship and crowds never before seen in Sydney racing in the modern era,” Mr McGrath said.

“His support of Sydney racing was in many ways a forerunner to the major carnivals of today at Royal Randwick such as The Championships and The Everest Carnival.

“We send our sincere condolences to the Cojuangco family, and everyone at Gooree Park as we thank and honour Mr Cojuangco for his long support of racing.”

In 2004, Mr Cojuangco was appointed as a Life Member of the Australian Jockey Club and now Australian Turf Club.

In 2015, Mr Cojuangco was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame.