MVRC and Ladbrokes partnership begins
Today marks the first day of the Ladbrokes - Moonee Valley Racing Club eight-year partnership, a red-letter day for the Club.
The premier Weight-For-Age championship race of Australasia, the W.S. Cox Plate, as well as many other properties held by the Club will now hold the naming rights of leading corporate bookmaker Ladbrokes.
“When two like-minded and forward-thinking organisations team up with a clear vision to make the overall experience for racing fans and punters a positive and enjoyable one, it’s hard not to be excited,” said Ladbrokes Australia Chief Executive, Jason Scott..
“The partnership is for a term of eight years. Yes, it is unprecedented in length for its kind, but it’s something we see as a genuine commitment to the long-term betterment of The Valley, Ladbrokes and racing.”
“It is an exciting day for the Moonee Valley Racing Club and really the dawn of a new era for the Club and the W.S. Cox Plate,” continued MVRC’s CEO Michael Browell.
“We are about to embark upon one of our most exciting chapters in our 134-year history and to have a company of the calibre of Ladbrokes alongside us on the journey for the next 8 years means we will be able to reach even greater heights.”
“Through this partnership we will build towards the 100th running of the W.S. Cox Plate in 2020, whereby we will then undergo our major redevelopment where we will see a new track and grandstand constructed that will transform the racecourse into a world-class facility.”
The 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival on October 27-28 is shaping up to be one of the biggest events the MVRC has ever seen, with the 97th edition of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and the 50th edition of the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. Given the significance of Winx coming back for a record third W.S. Cox Plate, the MVRC are thrilled to have an organisation such as Ladbrokes along for the ride to help the Club put on a sensational Carnival. The two-day event offers 24 hours of unmissable sporting action, with the partnership securing the future of the Carnival, which embarks upon its sixth year.
“While the mighty mare Winx is by no means a bookmaker’s best friend, we are unashamedly a racing brand run by racing people and there is nothing racing people love more than champion racehorses. And winners. And I am sure she is ‘Up For The Challenge’,” said Scott.
With 16-night racing meetings scheduled for the 2017/18 season, Friday night racing at The Valley from today will now be known as Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights. The MVRC was the first metropolitan club to flick the switch on racing under lights in 1998 and has since staged 20 seasons of night racing, which now boasts over $9 million in prizemoney and 15 black-type races each season.
The partnership also includes sponsoring the popular 55 Second Challenge. This unique race series will enter its eighth season, with the 955 metre sprint heats exclusive to each and every night race meeting at The Valley. This year the winning trainer over the 16 heats will win an unprecedented $55,000 cash from Ladbrokes.
“The 55 Second Challenge has become a great event over the years and we are anticipating it will continue to grow under the Ladbrokes banner as part of the overall ‘Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights’ season, with $55,000 in cash on offer for the victorious trainer a huge carrot,” said Scott..
The Valley’s new racing season kicks-off on Saturday, August 26, with the first Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights meeting on Friday, September 29 featuring the Group 1 Moir Stakes..
“We are extremely excited for what’s to come as our two very accomplished teams set out to create a strong, vibrant and prosperous partnership for every one of the next eight years,” said Scott..