The twenty-fourth edition of the President’s cup for Premier category horses was launched in a press conference at the Malta Equidrome this afternoon. Organized by the Malta Racing Club, this competition for top-category trotting horses will reach its climax with the final on October 27th. For the fourth consecutive year this prestigious championship is being held with the financial backing of EquestriMalta, the authority for equestrian sport with one of its remits being that of promoting and assisting equestrian sport in Malta.
This prestigious final in the Malta Racing Club’s racing calendar, will once again, see a record global prize money. This year’s total prize money stands at €8400, of which €4500 will go to the winner and the rest spread on the horses finishing between second and fifth place. Another additional fund was used in agreement between EquestriMalta and Malta Equidrome for the logistics of this event. The winner will also be awarded for the year, the prestigious trophy by artist George Muscat, commissioned by the President’s office back in 2012. EquestriMalta also thought of sponsoring two finals referred to as the Mini President’s Cup for small ponies driven by children on the same day.
The press conference was addressed by Mr. Max Zammit CEO of EquestriMalta who reiterated that it is an honour for EquestriMalta to see this competition continue to rise in its prestige, even by way of the substantial prize money associated to it which continues to grow year after year. This serves as an incentive for owners and sportsmen in this field who make so many sacrifices. Dr Dean Hili, Deputy Chairman of EquestriMalta also reiterated the noble aim of this competition in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. For this purpose, this final will be held, as always, under the patronage of Her Excellency the President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono. Representatives of the Malta Community Chest Fund will be present at Malta Equidrome on the day of this final with the aim of collecting money which can be used by the Malta Community Chest Fund foundation for its noble causes. On behalf of the Malta Racing Club, Mr. Tony Demanuele, vice chairman of the club, stressed that this competition should be a symbol of unity between the competitors, horse racing enthusiasts and the Maltese society at large. Dr Matthew Brincat, CEO of Malta Equidrome wished all the best to the participants whilst inviting the public to attend the event organised around this final.
The last part of the conference, as is tradition for the President’s Cup final, saw the horse owners chose the starting numbers for their horses, in order established the final’s starting lineup. The owners were called up to choose the number according to the placing of their horses in the semi-finals that were raced last Sunday, with the fastest horse choosing his number first.
The starting line-up of the final, reads as follows:
No. 1: Akela Play
No. 2: Formi
No. 3: Velvet Gio
No. 4: Frappe Fort
No. 5: Diablo d’Herfraie
No. 6: Ellington Dream
No. 7: Whothehillareyou
No. 8: Caid Sly
No. 9: Disco d’Occagnes
No. 10: Charming Soldier
No. 11: Farfars Dream
No. 12: Douglas du Pont
