MJC sets record P118-M in sales

True to its promise of ending the year with a bang, Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI) — operators of the only modern racing facility in the country — became venue to the setting of new record sales of more than P188-million during its recent grand yearend racing extravaganza Dec. 22-28 at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The record six-day sales amounted to P188,755,928, which easily eclipsed the previous record high of P181,951,130 set by Philippine Racing Club, Inc. (PRCI) for its Dec. 16-21 race program.

"The management and staff of MJCI would like to thank the racing fans for their continuing support of our racing programs. Rest assured that they can look forward to better and more exciting races for 2004 at the new home of championship racing," declared MJCI vice president for corporate management Henri Kahn.

In line with the club’s forward thrust for 2004, MJCI has announced the holding of no less than four major racing events at the San Lazaro Leisure Park during the first quarter of the year.

These events include the revival of the coveted "Freedom Cup" race Feb. 25; the PCSO Sweepstakes Grand Championship Feb. 29; the Philracom "Chairman’s Cup" March 14 and the P1.7-million PCSO First Gentleman’s Silver Cup March 28.

The Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) is spearheading the "Freedom Cup" race, held in commemoration of the 18th year anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, and will be staged in honor of former President Corazon Aquino.

An initial pot of P1.67-million has been allotted for the open race to be disputed over a distance of 1,800 meters.

MJCI currently boasts of a modern Turf Club building comparable to other top class racing centers in Asia and operates the only world-standard twin-oval race track in the country.

Despite an almost one month break in operations last year, MJCI has been able to post a remarkable P3.65-billion in gross sales in 2003 which significantly boosted the racing industry’s revenue contribution to the national coffers.— Ramon Romualdez