HK Derby brakes with tradition
The Hong Kong Derby will have a sponsor for the first time in its 131-year history. The Jockey Club yesterday announced the signing of a three-year deal with Mercedes-Benz China Limited. The deal also gives the German car maker naming rights to the Group One Classic Mile - formerly known as the Derby Trial - to be decided at Sha Tin on Sunday week.
The Derby will now be known as the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, with prizemoney unchanged at $14 million, making it the equal second-richest race, behind the $18 million Hong Kong Cup.
Jockey Club director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the concept of allowing the time-honoured classic - first run in 1873 - to have a commercial sponsor's name attached to it created a lot of discussion at the club.
'There were a lot of other corporations very keen to be associated with the Hong Kong Derby,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said. 'But we eventually made a conscious decision to form this partnership. Mercedes stands for quality... for excellence. We thought this was the best match.'
Jutta Aulich, the general manager (sales and marketing) of the car manufacturer, said: 'Mercedes-Benz and the Hong Kong Derby, two of the most enduring and esteemed brands have come together, and that is worth celebrating.'
Although the contract sponsorship period is three years, both partners anticipate a longer-term proposition. 'Audemars Piguet is coming up for its sixth year of sponsorship of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and we feel confident the association of Mercedes and the Hong Kong Derby will be an ideal long-term partnership as well,' said Jockey Club sponsorship manager Jason Cornell.
Last year, Cathay Pacific was signed up as the official airline of the Hong Kong International Races.
This year's Hong Kong Derby is shaping as the best ever, with the likely field headed by Hong Kong Mile hero Lucky Owners.
'Lucky Owners is the highest-rated horse [129] ever entered for the Derby,' Engelbrecht-Bresges continues. 'But the depth of quality is unparalleled.'
