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Singapore Turf Club will
re-introduce an international sprint race to complement the $3m Singapore
Airlines International Cup (SAIC).
A year after the successful staging of the inaugural SAIC in 2000, Singapore
Turf Club added the S$1m Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint to the
programme.
French entry IRON MASK won the 1200m race in 2001 and another
three-year-old, Australia’s NORTH BOY, captured the sprint the following
year when the race was elevated to International Group 3 status.
The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint was not run again after that.
Now, the stage is set for more world-class racing action at Kranji when the
Singapore Turf Club stages the KrisFlyer International Sprint on the same
evening as the Singapore Airlines International Cup on May 18 next year,
adding even more buzz to what is already Singapore’s biggest and richest
raceday of the year.
Sponsored by Singapore Airlines, the KrisFlyer International Sprint will
offer prizemoney of S$1 million. Racing fans can look forward to some of the
world’s leading equine athletes pit their skill and speed as they compete
over 1200m at weight-for-age for the coveted trophy.
Yu Pang Fey, President and Chief Executive, Singapore Turf Club, said: “Two
world-class races, world-class horses, world-class jockeys and prizemonies
for the day totaling over S$4.6 million. All these add up to a spectacular
day of racing for fans not only in Singapore but around the world who will
be watching the races ‘live’. It’s the ultimate racing experience. I would
like to thank Singapore Airlines for their kind sponsorship of the Sprint.
The addition of the KrisFlyer International Sprint is perfect and allows us
to capitalise on the success of the Singapore Airlines International Cup Day
and develop the Day and indeed the week-long Singapore International Racing
Festival into an even bigger occasion, providing a fitting climax to
Singapore’s biggest racing extravaganza.”
Huang Cheng Eng, Executive Vice-President (Marketing & The Regions),
Singapore Airlines, remarked: “Since its inception in 2000, the Singapore
Airlines International Cup has carried the Singapore Airlines flag and
indeed the Singapore flag far and wide. With the addition of the KrisFlyer
International Sprint, we are delighted to work with the Singapore Turf Club
to develop the Cup and Sprint into the region’s premier sporting
attractions, and to raise Singapore’s profile in the world-racing arena.”
With the introduction of the KrisFlyer International Sprint, Singapore Turf
Club has re-scheduled several feature races to accommodate the new event.
The Lion City Cup (1200m), slated for May 17, on the eve of the SAIC, has
been brought forward to April 11.
Other changes:
| Race |
Current Date |
New Date |
| Singapore 4 Year Old
Mile |
24 February 2008 |
23 February 2008 |
| Merlion Trophy |
25 April 2008 |
24 February 2008 |
| Patrons’ Bowl |
1 June 2008
|
31 May 2008 |
| Committee’s Prize |
30 November 2008 |
21 September 2008 |
| Kranji Mile |
21 September 2008 |
19 October 2008 |
| Raffles Cup |
19 October 2008 |
9 November 2008 |
| EW Barker Trophy |
8 November 2008 |
29 November 2008 |
| Singapore Gold Cup |
9 November 2008 |
30 November 2008 |
| Stewards’ Cup |
5 December 2008 |
21 December 2008 |
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