ThoroughBid, Tattersalls join MMTCI races

Metro Manila Turf Club Inc. (MMTCI) will hold the second leg of the highly-anticipated Prince Cup and King’s Gold Cup stakes on Sunday with a total prize pot of 12 million with each race staking P6 million in prizes.

The twin events, sponsored by Costa Cruises, DLTB and the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom), have one of the highest stakes awards of the year, demonstrating the increased interest and investment in the Philippine horse racing sector.

MMTCI chairman and president Atty. Narciso Morales said that special guest delegations from ThoroughBid and Tattersalls, two major United Kingdom-based auctioneers, will be in attendance.

“Their involvement demonstrates the international interest in Philippine racing and the possibilities for European investment in the local sector,” Morales said.

“Despite the hurdles created by the Covid pandemic, MMTCI has successfully increased its contribution to the government through taxes generated by its activities, demonstrating the industry’s resilience and growth,” Morales added.

Morales will also offer various changes to improve the horse racing experience, including the start of “Claiming” races, which are modeled after the well-known Kentucky racing system.

The program will allow participants to purchase horses that are running in actual races, providing a potential for ownership once the event is over.