Press Release by Vivek Jain
Posted on - 17 Jul 2013
Statement by VIVEK JAIN, Chairman, Marketing and Media Working Group, Committee Member, RWITC, on the commencement of the Pune Racing Season 2013:
The 2013 Pune Racing Season is in all readiness to “gallop” off the blocks in fine fashion! From lucrative prize money to top quality sponsored races …… from excellent partnerships to attracting the crème de la crème of society, the eagerly anticipated monsoon racing season, promises all that and much more! The highlights :
PRIZE MONEY:
The advertised prize money of about Rs.8.5 crore, including trophies, is about 7% up on the last racing season (on a per day basis) and probably the highest for a monsoon racing centre in India.
PERFORMANCE BONUS:
The performance incentive payable to owners has been enhanced from25% to 50% and is also now payable to fourth placed horses. The payout will soar from 1.13 crore last year to an estimated 2.75 crore.
SPONSORSHIPS:
The RWITC continues to lead the way in attracting record sponsorships and the coming season will be no exception. Contributions of over Rs.1.10 crore are on par with last year, and virtually every weekend will feature a sponsored/graded race as has been the norm for the past several seasons. The RWITC remains most appreciative of its contributors and partners who add a special dimension to the sport.
It must be emphasized that in view of the slowdown in the economy and cut-down in marketing budgets across the board by several Corporates, this has been a particularly difficult year in getting sponsorships. Inspite of the external environment, the Club has done well in scheduling a packed season of top races over the entire three months.
SPONSORS TO CONTRIBUTE TO CORPUS OF THE CLUB:
In a new initiative, 20% of the sponsors’ contribution will be set aside to add to the corpus of the Club for distribution as general stakes. This has been done on a voluntary basis, at the discretion of the sponsor. This endeavour, which is in the interest of the RWITC, has been accepted by most sponsors.
THE NANOLI STUD PUNE DERBY & MCDOWELL SIGNATURE PREMIER INDIAN ST. LEGER (GR.1):
The Pune season’s only two Grade 1 races remain The Nanoli Stud Pune Derby and The McDowell Signature Premier Indian St. Leger (Gr.1). The Pune Derby has become synonymous with Nanoli Stud who would be sponsoring Western India’s first classic for the new crop for a record 17th year in a row. The Dhunjibhoy family will, as always, also sponsor the Sprint Million on the same day, as an added bonus. The Derby weekend will also feature the hugely popular Oktoberfest, for the fourth year running, thanks to the munificence of the Indo German Chamber and its associates.
The Indian St. Leger returned to its rightful place at Pune two years back, which has been its traditional home. Permanently shifted back to Pune, this last of the Indian Classics gives the season an added dimension and is sponsored by RWITC’s biggest contributor, The UB Group with Rs.21 million in added money and would be run on the last Sunday of September.
THE RACING PROGRAM:
The season will feature a number of Millions and Graded races for each age category, the highest for any monsoon season in India. A record 22 races(including The Pune Derby and Indian St.Leger) will carry a minimum prize money of Rs.1 million which is commendable for a short season as is Pune. And, this year Pune again gets the privilege to play host to the first two year old Million race in the country for the new crop.
There has been an increase in the number of two year old races from two to four on an experimental basis.
INTERNATIONAL SPONSORSHIPS:
Pune takes credit in attracting the highest number of international sponsorships of all racing clubs in India with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Goffs, Coolmore Stud, Keeneland Association, Connolly’s Red Mills, Thoroughbred Remedies Manufacturing and Tattersalls all sponsoring races at Pune seven independent international sponsors is a new record. Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and Goffs jointly sponsor the Grade 2 RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup for the second year and Coolmore, Keeneland, Connolly’s Red Mills and Tattersalls are contributing to Million races.
For the first time ever The RWITC Cup was run in Singapore last July. In a further initiative to build reciprocity with International Racing Authorities, a race named in our honour was run on a major European Race track on July 4th, in Ireland. We hope to further build on our international partnerships which bring excellent exposure for our Club.
HOSPITALITY AND MEDIA PARTNERS:
The RWITC is perhaps the only racing Club in India to strive for, and obtain, a range of hospitality and media partners. Pune 2013 is no exception, with Radio One, DNA and G2 (Global Gujarati) partnering us to spread the good word for the sport and the Club. Races will be run to acknowledge their most valued association.
The Four Seasons, Mumbai, will offer prizes extended from the Mumbai Season.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
The Committee is taking steps for improvement in infrastructure every year for both horses and members. The popular LED screen would once again be placed across the track. There will be 3 new LED screens, two on the track and one near the Paddock for better viewing and with lots of information on the screen for our racing patrons.
The main track between 2000 mtrs and 1400 mtrs has been converted into a monsoon track with proper cambering it is been decided by next Pune Season 2014 the entire race track will be monsoon track. The judges box has also been shifted from the ground floor to the Top floor for better viewing. A new Water pipe line has been laid considering the next Pune Season 2014 for the fully laid monsoon track.
A significant upgrade at the Turf Club House is already under way.
CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS FOR THE PUNE MEETING 2013:
The Committee has decided to introduce for the first time for any racing centre in India, Championship Awards for champion sprinter, stayer, middle distance horse and juvenile. The eligible races are:
Champion Sprinter:
1. The Pune Monsoon Million
2. The Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy
3. The Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million
Champion Middle Distance Horse:
1. The Turf Club Trophy (Gr.3)
2. The Southern Command Gold Trophy (Gr.3)
3. The Nirmal Ruia Million
Champion Stayer:
1. The Eve Champion Trophy (Gr.3)
2. The Idar Gold Trophy (Gr.3)
3. The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing & Goffs RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup (Gr.2)
Champion 3 year Old:
1. The F.D. Wadia Trophy (Gr.2)
2. The S.A. Poonawalla Multi-Million (Gr.2)
3. The Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1)
A horse has to run in all three races of the respective category and win atleast two to be eligible for a bonus of One Million rupees.
Champion Horse of Pune Meeting:
To win a cash award of Rupees One Million a horse has to win atleast four races during the Pune Meeting 2013.
THE RED MILLS AWARDS FOR RACING EXCELLENCE:
Connolly’s Red Mills will sponsor the Season ending Awards for Racing Excellence on the concluding day. This is the first time an international sponsor has come forward to sponsor the popular Season ending Awards.
RWITC.COM AND RWITC.TV:
RWITC was the first in the country to introduce the live streaming on its web site. In a further innovation we hope to launch RWITC.TV to showcase not only the streaming but also live and recorded footage of our social events, an extended photo gallery, interviews, our CSR initiatives and more. A real lifestyle site dedicated to racing and events!
RWITC AND CHARITY:
The Club has associated with various charitable institutions in the last couple of years. The start of the Pune Season will be in aid of the flood ravaged Uttarakhand, a natural disaster worthy of support. We continue with the Race of Hope in aid of the Indian Cancer Society and the Threptin Fillies and Mares’ Stakes will be in aid of the Indian Red Cross. We hope to add further associations to our charitable partnerships as the season progresses to build on our expanding Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
MOBILE APPLICATIONS:
The Club was the first in India to introduce mobile applications for its website which has now been extended to all categories of smartphones including Ipads and Androids.
HOOFPRINT:
In our endeavour to reach out to our significant membership base, we innovated with “Hoofprint” an email news letter informing our patrons of upcoming events and developments at the Club. This would be continued at the Pune Season.
We hope this will be a season as no other and the Committee has endeavoured to bring maximum entertainment, maximum racing during the season ahead! We bet you will love it!!
