Indiantelevision.com Team

(30 January 2009 9:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The current economic downturn has failed to dampen the mood of the Royal Western Indian Turf Club (RWITC), which has kick-started their 2009 horse racing season. The RWITC says that it has attracted new sponsors, increased sponsorship money and recorded prize money, despite the many ups and downs of the past few months.

It further states that it is hoping to line up innovative events in the next three months. The first race is scheduled to start on 31 Jan.

According to RWITC Stewards chairman and marketing - media chairman Vivek Jain, currently, the sponsors' contributions amount to Rs 36.7 million, which marks a rise of 20 per cent on the Rs 30.6 million that was achieved for a full season last year. RWITC has managed to attract first time sponsors in La Ditta, BJets and Kunigal Stud.

Says Jain, "If the UB Group's contribution to infrastructure, and the virtual sponsorship of a box in the Grand Stand by Hirco were to be added, the figure goes up to an unprecedented Rs 56.7 million."

"Every weekend of racing will feature a graded and/or sponsored race; first time sponsors in La Ditta, BJets and Kunigal Stud; two race days entirely sponsored; all the Indian Classics sponsored; etc. The Indian St Leger has been shifted to Pune," he adds.

Moreover, the gross advertised prize money for the shortened season is Rs 97 million over 28 days of racing. This compares favourably with the Rs 111.9 million over 43 days last year, says Jain.

The RWITC has also anounced that the Four Seasons - Mumbai is its preferred hospitality partner. The hotel will offer services for the benefits of RWITC's members, owners and others and prizes on race days.

Jain adds that primarily due to the restrictions in movement of race horses between clubs and the seriously compacted season, the RWITC had to take the difficult decision of cancelling The Indian Turf Invitation Cup Weekend, which came to Mahalaxmi after five years.

"However, the Turf Authorities have permitted our Club to host it in 2010, and I am more than confident that Hirco, a first time sponsor to racing, will associate with it next year as well," elaborates Jain.

He says that the UB Spirits sponsored, The McDowell Indian Derby, remains the season's biggest racing event. The prize money this year is expected to go close to Rs 17.5 million, with the winner claiming more than 10 million.

"UB is backing the entire weekend, sponsoring the entire programme over two days, with their affiliate, Kunigal Stud, coming in as a sponsor for The Breeders' Produce Stakes."

The RWITC also announced the launch of their site, with development work being done by RacingPulse.