April 10, 2015
The world’s richest race for two year olds will further increase its international exposure next year, with Swiss watchmaker Longines signing a three-year partnership to sponsor the $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper, and the three-week Longines Golden Slipper Carnival at Rosehill Gardens. The extended partnership for the Australian Turf Club and Rosehill Gardens is a further vote of confidence in Sydney racing – and its iconic race day – by the largest partner in global racing. Longines has acquired naming rights for the biggest day of Group 1 racing in Australia, Longines Golden Slipper Day, scheduled to be held at Rosehill Gardens next year on 19 March, the centrepiece of the Longines Golden Slipper Carnival. The partnership comes as the Australian Turf Club and Longines today announced a new timekeeping and tracking system at Royal Randwick, with plans to also roll that technology out at Rosehill Gardens in coming months.
The Longines Positioning System, exclusive to on course spectators on Saturday and soon to be integrated with the ATC’s broadcast partners and digitally, will be officially used in Sydney for the first time tomorrow at The Championships Day 2, Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day. Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said the Club was thrilled to further strengthen its partnership with global leader Longines. The deal to sponsor the Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens would further focus the eyes of the international racing world on Western Sydney. “Longines partnership of our great race the Golden Slipper, and Australia’s biggest Group 1 day with five Group 1 races, is full testament to the regard the racing world has for the race and for Rosehill Gardens,’’ Mr Pearce said. “Having a global brand such as Longines further elevates the international status of the world’s richest race for two year old thoroughbreds. “With five Group 1 races on Longines Golden Slipper Day, including the great race itself, we are putting this stallion-making and industry defining race back on a pedestal, complementing our New Breed marketing campaign. “This year’s Golden Slipper had international celebrity and exposure like never before, and together the Australian Turf Club and Longines intend to promote the prestigious Longines Golden Slipper and Australian two year old racing around the world. “We are also very excited about the Longines Positioning System, which will benefit our Members, and on course spectators and ultimately TV viewers, especially punters, with instant information as it happens on the track. “This innovative technology will make the race day experience even better.’’ The influence of the Longines Golden Slipper has again been demonstrated in recent weeks following the win of colt Vancouver in this year’s race.
Vancouver has reportedly been sold for $40 million, with plans for the horse to serve as a dual hemisphere stallion after he races in Sydney in the Spring. Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines, said: “Longines and the Australian Turf Club are partners in every sense of the word and we are delighted to be able to extend this partnership to include one of the finest racing events here in Australia, the newly named Longines Golden Slipper Carnival. “Longines is delighted to launch the new Longines Positioning System at Royal Randwick for the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day. “Longines and the ATC are two organisations with a true history and passion for thoroughbred racing and are both equally committed to driving innovation in the sport. “The Longines Positioning System is a game-changer for thoroughbred racing, bringing deeper data and new levels of accuracy, reliability and flexibility.’’
Mr Pearce also thanked Lion – and its highly-popular brand Tooheys New – for its great support over many years of Sydney’s iconic two year old race.
Lion remains an official partner across all four Australian Turf Club venues.
Photo: Bradley Photos