New Zealand Bloodstock has announced the sponsorship of two large prizemoney races in Malaysia with graduates of NZB’s sales set to be able to compete for stakes of RM100,000.
The first of two RM100,000 races set to run in 2024 will be open to graduates of NZB’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale, while the second race will be open to all NZB sales graduates.
The two high-stakes graduate races are the first of their kind in Malaysia, and offer a significant prizemoney boost to the racing jurisdiction when compared to the average race stake offering of between RM14,500 to RM39,000.
The initiative is supported by other further sponsored open races on 4 November, and comes as part of a wider partnership between NZB and the premier Malaysian racing club who have been regular attendees and purchasers of NZB sales.
As a result, New Zealand-bred and sourced horses continue to headline the leaderboards in Malaysia, with just last month Pasir Pinji (NZ) taking out the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m).
CEO of Selangor Turf Club, Michael Fong is pleased with the boosted sponsorship from NZB and believes the partnership continues to be a positive one for Selangor Turf Club and the wider jurisdiction.
“The collaboration between the Selangor Turf Club and New Zealand Bloodstock is indeed one of the key factors contributing to the success of our horse industry here in Malaysia,” he said.
NZB has been an active sponsor of Selangor Turf Club for over 15 years and NZB’s Director of Business and Development Mike Kneebone’s relationship extends even further.
“I first met the Chairman Tan Sri Richard Cham, and his wife Louise 30 years ago when they were attending the Wrightson sale at Claudelands Hamilton at that time,” commented Kneebone.
“Selangor Turf Club is known for their forward thinking and innovative ideas to keep racing popular and entertaining for the owners.
“The racetrack in Selangor is as good as any track surface you will find plus the trainers have their horses in excellent condition.
“We are pleased to continue the partnership bigger and better and understand the importance Malaysian buyers and their racing industry is to the success of our sales,” he added.
One of the sponsored races on 4 November lands two weeks out from the Ready to Run Sale of two-year-olds where Malaysia has been a key purchaser. In 2022 Malaysian buyers accounted for a spend of over $1.1 million when purchasing eighteen lots.
NZB’s subsidiary business NZB Airfreight has also been key to ensuring the transport of these purchases into Malaysia each year, which has historically been a difficult route logistically.
And as a further incentive to Malaysian buyers, Selangor Turf Club is able to offer airfreight subsidies through the partnership and NZB Airfreight to ensure their buyers have access to the world’s best two-year-old sale.
The 2023 edition of the Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on 22 and 23 November, with Breeze Ups just held at Te Rapa Racecourse on 16 and 17 October.
For international enquiries, contact Mike Kneebone on +61 439 568 881 or email mike.kneebone@nzb.co.nz
For bloodstock enquiries, contact Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email kane.jones@nzb.co.nz
