Darley stallions is proud to strengthen its relationship with one of the world's great racing clubs, the Victoria Racing Club.
Darley has been a partner of the VRC since 2004 and has been a strong contributor to Victorian racing and Flemington particularly with parent-company Godolphin having world-class training facilities on-site, in addition to numerous race sponsorships.
Under the partnership with the Victoria Racing Club, Darley will award the breeder of the winner of each of the sponsored races with a nomination to some of it's leading stallions, giving breeders, owners and trainers an extra incentive to target these races.
$2 million G1 Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) on Saturday, 9 November
$200,000 G3 Darley Ottawa Stakes (1000m) on Tuesday, 5 November
$200,000 G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) on Thursday, 7 November
$175,000 Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) on Saturday, 5 October
All-new Darley Spring Preview (900m) on Wednesday, 25 September
The winning breeder will receive a 2020 nomination to Darley stallions Harry Angel (Ottawa Stakes), Frosted (Maribyrnong Plate) and Impending (Darley Sprint Classic).
Managing Director of Godolphin in Australia Vin Cox, said: “Darley stallions partners with some of the biggest race carnivals in the world and we are delighted to embark on a new partnership with the Victoria Racing Club."
“Darley and the Victoria Racing Club have enjoyed a successful partnership since 2004 and we are proud to see this continue,” Mr Cox said.
VRC Executive General Manager Racing, Leigh Jordon welcomed the alignment with Darley.
“The VRC and Darley stallions possess a shared love and appreciation of the thoroughbred and our relationship with this world-wide organisation is highly valued,” Mr Jordon said.
“Darley has long been considered an industry leader in thoroughbred breeding, its world-class stallion roster consistently produces horses that go on to perform at the highest level with many of those major victories coming on the biggest stage of them all at Flemington.”
As part of the agreement, a unique offering exists for the breeder of the winner of the Darley Ottawa Stakes, the Darley Maribyrnong Plate and the Darley Sprint Classic.
“We are proud to be able to offer breeders access to our world-class stallion roster in Australia, and the winning breeders of these three Group races will be awarded a nomination to Harry Angel, Frosted and Impending,” Mr Cox said.
“Two-year-old racing is such a focus throughout the racing and breeding industry in Australia and in supporting the Maribyrnong Trial, Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate and Group 3 Ottawa Stakes provides great incentives for breeders, owners and trainers."
“Our mission is to help our clients breed a horse which gives them the best chance of success on the racetrack or a huge windfall in the sale ring. We share the journey with them and strive to assist in growing the value of their horse."
“This partnership with the VRC supports our mission.”
In addition to the recognition of breeding a G1 winner, the breeder of the Darley Sprint Classic winner will receive a free nomination to Impending, a blue-blooded, Group 1-winning son of Australian favourite, Lonhro.
“The Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic is one the highest-rated weight-for-age sprint races in the world and following initial nominations, the 2019 race is going to be one of the great races of the Spring Carnival,” Mr Cox said.
The Darley Sprint Classic is one of Australia’s premier sprint races, often touted as the spring grand final for the nation’s best short-course horses. It has a glittering honour roll with names including Black Caviar, Takeover Target, Buffering, Redzel and Santa Ana Lane.
