The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) is proud to announce Inglis as the new sponsor of the Inglis 55 Second Challenge.
Since its inception in 2010, the six series held have been a resounding success with the fastest horses in the country going hell for leather over the now famous 955 metre scamper.
The MVRC is pleased to partner with Inglis who, since 1867, are renowned as the leading bloodstock auctioneer firm with complexes at Oaklands Junction in Melbourne and Newmarket in Sydney.
Inglis plays host to 17 equine auctions each year - highlighted by the world-famous Melbourne Premier Sale in February and Australian Easter Yearling Sales in April.
The winning trainer of the fastest horse across the 16 heat series will receive a $50,000 sales voucher to use at any Inglis Sale in 2017.
Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian was excited about the partnership.
“Night racing at The Valley is one of the great things as the weather is warming back up and then into summer, so to be associated with the 55 Second Challenge is fantastic,’’ Vivian said.
“It’s great to partner up with the Moonee Valley Racing Club in the summer months leading in to our primary sales of 2017.
“This is also a thank you to our Victorian-based clients who support our sales and I’m sure an extra $50,000 to take to a sale next year will be of huge significance.’’
David Galbally, General Manager of Marketing and Commercial Operations, is also thrilled to have Inglis on board for the 2016/17 season.
“The 55 Second Challenge is a feature of our Friday Night race meetings and is a great innovation for racing,” Galbally said.
“Entering its 7th year, we are excited that Inglis have extended their partnership with the Moonee Valley Racing Club and are providing trainers with the chance to win $50,000 to invest in a future champion. We look forward to working with Inglis to continue to develop the spectacle that is the Inglis 55 Second Challenge.”
921 starters have taken to the challenge with 83 sets of connections having had the privilege to get their photo taken beside the time board since the Bart Cummings trained Sunday Rose won the inaugural heat on September 24, 2010.
101 heats later and the course record of 54.69 seconds is held by Vatican, who was purchased at the 2010 Inglis Premier Sale by trainer Byron Cozamanis.
16 heats will be conducted over the unique 955 metre circuit with over $970,000 in prizemoney up for grabs.
Heat 1 of the Inglis 55 Second Challenge will commence on Friday September 23, with the final race of the series and winning presentation held on William Reid Stakes Night on Friday March 24.