MANILA, Philippines - Manila Jockey Club Inc., the premier horse-racing club in the country and one of Asia’s oldest, will be hosting the 42nd Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup on Dec. 21 at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Dubbed as the most prestigious event in the Philippine racing calendar, the PCSO Gold Cup title is sought after by the country’s top-tiered horses and jockeys. It is also much anticipated by the Filipino racing community locally and abroad.
A Memorandum of Agreement signing ceremony was held at Manila Golf and Country Club to finalize the commitments of each party in the upcoming event. This was attended by representatives from the PCSO, the Philippine Racing Commission and MJCI.
“From the time the PCSO charter was created in 1934, the PCSO has always been a supporter of the racing industry. This year on our 80th Anniversary, PCSO continues the grand tradition of the PCSO Gold Cup at San Lazaro Leisure Park. We invite everyone to join us on Dec. 21, and make this event a success for the racing industry and for PCSO,” said PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II.
PCSO has allotted a sponsorship of P5 million distributed prize for the first to fourth placers, including a cash incentive to the winning breeder. Philracom has also sponsored P1 million as additional prize for the first prize winner of the Gold Cup race, and additional prize money to be received by all the winners of the supporting races.
“The Philracom is proud to co-sponsor with the PCSO this prestigious Presidential Gold Cup. The commission believes that our additional sponsorship will serve as a good incentive for our horse owners. I would like to thank the PCSO for their continued support to the industry since their establishment,” PCSO chairman Angel Castaño said.
Atty. Alfonso Reyno III, president and COO of Manila Jockey Club said: “This race is the centerpiece of the local racing industry, comparable to the Kentucky Derby in the US, and the Melbourne Cup in Australia. The Presidential Gold Cup will crown the strongest and fastest thoroughbred in the industry today. MJCI is very honored and privileged to be the host of this most prestigious event.”
The Presidential Gold Cup was conceived by the PCSO board headed by the late chairman and GM Nereo Andong. It instantly became a popular event among the racing community with Sun God owned by Don Pedro Cojuangco winning the inaugural race in 1973.