Auckland Cup Moves to Weekend Arc   12 May 2015

Auckland Cup Moves to Weekend Arc Creates Raceday “for All Aucklanders”

Auckland Racing Club is moving Auckland Cup Day to run on a Saturday in a move it says will create a "raceday for all Aucklanders”.

Part of Auckland Cup Week, the 141 year old Auckland Cup has been run on a Wednesday at Ellerslie Racecourse since 2006. Now Auckland Racing Club CEO Cameron George says they have decided to move the Cup raceday to the Saturday to enable even more Aucklanders to attend.

“The way people want to be entertained, and when, is changing. As a club, we are keen to ensure that all Aucklanders of all generations get to experience this iconic event,” Cameron George says.

The Club is planning to enhance the week with an increase in minimum race stakes to $50,000, additional catwalk fashion competitions and increased off track entertainment which all combines to deliver the best in racing, fashion and entertainment. “Our aim is to create an Auckland Cup Week Carnival that features the glamorous tradition of Derby Day on the first Saturdayfollowed a week later by the excitement and prestige of an Auckland Cup Day for the people of Auckland.

“We’re also conscious that March is increasingly congested with numerous events; by consolidating into two amazing days of racing, fashion and entertainment we’ll create a must-attend carnival,” Cameron George says.

Major sponsor of the Auckland Cup, Peter Thompson of Barfoot & Thompson, welcomes the move. “We’re really excited by this decision. We think it will be fantastic for all Aucklanders to have an even better chance to participate in the most prestigious racing event on the calendar – not to mention, one of the best day’s out available.”

Auckland Racing Club is keen to introduce a new generation of Aucklanders to the Auckland Cup. “The Cup has been run since 1874. Back then it was a day for farm and town workers alike to relax, enjoy some exciting horse racing and catch up with family and friends. By returning to a Saturday, we’ll essentially be taking the Cup back to the people of Auckland and creating an entertaining day for all,” continues Cameron George.

Auckland Cup Week runs from 5th -12th March 2016, book-ended by Derby Day and Auckland Cup Day. Both days feature the pinnacle of thoroughbred horse racing with Derby Day playing host to New Zealand’s richest Group 1 race, the NZ Derby. Auckland Cup Day will arguably be the most prestigious day of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand featuring three Group 1 races. Total stakes across the week are anticipated to be over $2.5million.

Fashion will continue to be an important feature of Auckland Cup Week, with Derby Day positioned as the epitome of glamour, featuring traditional black and white fashion, while Auckland Cup Day celebrates the best of the best, with judging of Prix de Fashion, the culmination of Fashions in the Field competitions run by racing clubs nationwide, and a fashion parade.

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