MJC sets record sales of P41.59M

Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI) further solidified its standing as the country’s premier race club following last Sunday’s blockbuster staging of the 22nd Gran Copa de Manila Day which grossed a record high of P41.59-million, the highest single day sales total in local racing history.

Moreover, MJCI’s total sales for its five-day "Gran Copa de Manila" racing festival also reached a high of more than P125.35 million, the highest-ever weekly total gross since the introduction of the five-day racing format.

"We are truly overwhelmed by the enormous support given by the racing public and all the racing sectors to this year’s Gran Copa festivities, and for that, we share with them the honor of being a part of this unprecedented milestone in local horse racing. The success of the Gran Copa is, no doubt, a clear expression of their commitment to quality horse racing, which has long been the thrust of the Manila Jockey Club," according to MJCI President Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr.

Last Sunday’s Gran Copa Day sales of P41,590.601 easily eclipsed the previous record high of P36,913,201 set last Nov. 19, 2000 during the MARHO Breeders’ Cup Day at the Santa Ana Park.

Sharing the limelight in last Sunday’s highly-successful staging of the "22nd Gran Copa de Manila" were the impressive victories of outstanding galloper Wind Blown and longshot Hyperbid in the two division "Gran Copa de Manila" Stakes Races.

Living up to his lofty pre-race billing, Wind Blown was again peerless in the Sta. Lucia Realty Cup as he frolicked his way to a blistering pace en route to another smashing victory in near record time.

The celebrated four-year-old colt zoomed past the finish line in tight reins, more than eight lengths clear of his closest pursuer and was clocked a snappy 1:59 flat over 1,900 meters. His winning time was just three-fifths of a second off the standing record of Hazmoore in winning the Sampaguita Distaff Championship last year.