WITH the growing numbers of quality imported horses locally and to further boost the industry, the Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc., in cooperation with the Philippine Racing Commission, will stage the three-leg Prince Cup and King’s Gold Cup, kicking off with the 1,200-meter opening leg on July 20 at the MTCI turf in Malvar, Batangas.
“We are excited to announce a guaranteed total prize of P11 million for the first leg, with P5.5 million at stake in the Prince and King’s Gold Cup, making it one of the richest stakes races in our industry,” said MMTCI racing manager Rodney Prado yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at the PSC conference room in Malate.
Philracom chairman Reli de Leon said the staging of both events is a sign that thehorseracing industry is booming as racehorse owners continue to import quality horses from abroad.
“The passion of our small but active racehorse owners is such that the number of imported horses has increased three-fold since we emerged from the pandemic,” said De Leon in the session backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, San Miguel Corp., Smart/PLDT, Milo and gaming portal ArenaPlus.
They said the races for imported horses were the brainchild of MMTCI chairman and president Atty. Narciso Morales, who conceptualized the project from what he observed in stakes races held overseas.
“The Prince Cup and King’s Gold Cup will feature the best of the best among imported horses from Australia, the US and Europe. This initiative is a significant step toward improving our breeding industry, and aims to also export our own horses to other countries, ensuring that our products are competitive on a global scale,” Morales said.
“Under my leadership, inspired by my predecessor and MMTCI founder, the late Dr. Norberto Quisumbing, we are committed to enhancing the quality of horse racing in our country,” he added.
The MMTCI head, who was among the pioneer proponents in reviving the importation of race horses to boost the industry, also thanked SMC head Ramon Ang “for his generous support as the major sponsor of our projects.
“Your sponsorship will serve as a cornerstone to uplift the morale of thousands whose livelihoods depend on our industry,” added Morales, who disclosed that he drew his inspiration from the late Philracom commissioner and former Justice Federico, a known sportsman during his time, for conceiving both races.
De Leon noted that the MMTCI initiative will also boost the government coffers, disclosing that the industry contributed more than a P1 billion in sales taxes alone in 2024, which he was optimistic would be surpassed this year.
“The staging of the Prince Cup and the King’s Gold Cup series is certainly a huge boost to local horseracing, and provides a showcase for our racehorse owners to field their top imported horse,” the Philracom chief said.
De Leon also announced that the last leg of the Triple Crown will be on Sunday at the MMTCI track, where VinalotEyu will be eyeing a sweep in ruling the 2,000-meter contest.
