AFTER a robust year in sales, the Philippine Racing Commission has lined up a lot of races and events this year to sustain the growth of the industry, including the launching of the inaugural Horseracing Hall of Fame and the revival of the Grand Copa de Manila stakes race.
“I am very happy to report that we bounced back last year compared to 2020. In 2020, our total sales was P1.1 billion and we made P2.3 billion last year, more than double in 2020,” Philracom Chairman Aurelio “Reli” de Leon said yesterday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.
“Last year our contribution to the national government was P680 million. This year we are projecting P4.5 billion in sales so we are looking from something like P900 to P1 billion in government revenues,” he added.
De Leon added in the public sports program supported by the San Miguel Corp., Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, Amelie Hotel and Braska Restaurant that the 10,000 or so workers who rely on the industry have regained their livelihood.
“A total of 95 percent of our workers in the industry are fully vaccinated and they are now able to sustain their respective families like before the pre-pandemic,” De Leon said.
Among the Philracom plans is the revival of the Gran Copa de Manila, the annual colorful and exciting stakes races in celebration of the “Araw ng Maynila” that used to be a much-awaited fixture in the local horseracing calendar.
“We hope to stage the Grand Copa de Manila from June 18 to 24 (during the week of the Araw ng Maynila celebration) along with the Philippine Sportswriting Association Cup,” De Leon said.
He added that also in the works is the launch of the first Philippine Horseracing Hall of Fame to honor the people who have contributed to the industry.
“We plan to have 10 inductees in the Horseracing Hall of Fame, the stalwarts who have contributed to the growth of the industry. We will begin with the jockeys, trainers, horse owners and other outstanding personalities in the sport,” he explained.
Among those who might be included in the first batch are the late jockey Elias Ordiales, sportsman-businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., a race horse owner and former Philracom chairman, and the late comedian Chiquito (real name Augusto Pangan) who owned and rode his own race horses.
