Pune Race Meeting 2017 - Press release
Posted on - 26 Jul 2017
WELCOME TO THE PUNE RACE MEETING 2017
By Vivek Jain, Chairman RWITC Ltd.
After a gap of three months, racing returns to Western India, with the start of the Pune Meeting 2017 on July 27. Pune has a special old world charm and the delightful monsoon weather to enjoy racing at its best. Race goers were eagerly awaiting the season start in July.
24 DAYS OF EXHILIRATING SPORT
The Pune Racing Season this year with 24 days of racing, the same number as last year. There will be no racing on the weekend of October 22, due to Diwali.
ADVERTISED PRIZE MONEY
The advertised prize money is 7.83 crores as against 8. 31 crore in 2016. However the stakes have been restored to 100% of the normal level, which will be welcomed by the owners.
SPONSORSHIPS
As always, the Club has done well in attracting a host of sponsors to support its racing program. Total contributions are Rs.75 lakhs. Most of the traditional contributors have returned, though sponsorships were unusually difficult to get.
THE BIG RACE DAYS
The highlight of the season will be The Kingfisher Ultra Pune Derby Grade 1. Last year’s sponsor Kingfisher Ultra, from the stable of United Breweries will continue to sponsor the Blue Riband of the Season. RWITC delighted that they have come on board for the monsoon Derby at Pune, scheduled for Sunday, 15th October 2017. The IGCC sponsored Oktoberfest will be held with the usual festivity on the Derby Weekend.
THE INDIAN ST LEGER
The last and longest of the Indian classics, The Indian St Leger, has returned to its original home base of Pune for Indian horses 4 years old only. The race is scheduled to run on Sunday, 24th September 2017, but as of today is without a sponsor.
ARMY DAY AT THE RACES
The Club’s association and dependence on the Local Military is well known. We do our best to maintain goodwill with the LMA. We hope to build on our relationship and the Southern Command Gold Cup race day with the Army regalia and participation, will once again be one of the season highlights. The Army Day will be on August 13th, on the Independence Weekend, one of the biggest of the season.
RADIO HOSPITALITY AND HOARDING PARTNERS
The RWITC has always viewed the radio and hospitality as its partners in the promotion of the sport. In the field of radio we have Radio One, and in hospitality we have first time association with Conrad Pune, This year in addition RWITC as tied up with Sixth Element as hoarding partner.
SOCIAL MEDIA and LIVE STREAMING
We hope to stamp our presence with continuous updates on our Twitter and Facebook pages, bring out Hoof Print, the weekly update on racing and events by email and are looking at tie ups to bring a new dimension to our live streaming on rwitc.com.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We made CSR a huge focus area for the RWITC with extraordinary tie ups with The Rotary Club, Lions Club, Indian Cancer Society to name a few. At Pune, The Threptin Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes Grade 3, will feature an association with The Indian Red Cross schedule to be run on Sunday, 8th October 2017.
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Jaws Events, Pune, event management company will handle various events on race days and ensure the sport remains centre stage for local Puneites and keep drawing newer audience to the Race Course.
“We look forward to an exciting season of sport, social events and food courts, and to conduct the sport with aplomb and professionalism”, added Mr Jain.
