Melbourne Racing Club and The Age

Tuesday, August 1, 2006

CAULFIELD GUINEAS COMES OF AGE
The Melbourne Racing Club today announced The Age newspaper as the new naming rights sponsor of the Caulfield Guineas, as well as the official newspaper of the Club and the Caulfield Spring Carnival, for the next three years.

The $1 million Group One classic is the club’s premier event for three year olds. It had been previously sponsored, in a general Caulfield spring carnival arrangement, only by Foster’s Australia.

In welcoming The Age as a first time sponsor, Melbourne Racing Club Chief Executive Mr Warran Brown, said The Age, a quality newspaper that had been published in Melbourne since 1854, was a perfect fit for the club and the Caulfield Guineas.

The Caulfield Guineas was first run in 1881.

“The Age has been this country's flagship daily newspaper for more than 150 years and was there to witness the some of the Caulfield Guineas’ most memorable moments including the achievements of some of the great names of the turf such as Tulloch, Vain, Manikato, and Lonhro,” Mr Brown said.

“This is the dream race for owners, and to win the classic over the testing trip for three-year-olds of 1600 metres is the highest quality measure of a thoroughbred. Here at the Melbourne Racing Club we are delighted that the highest quality newspaper, The Age, will now be part of the tradition and the dream.

The 2006 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday, 14 October, will be the 126th running of the classic race – and the first under the name of The Age Caulfield Guineas.

Managing Director – Fairfax Victoria, Mr Don Churchill, was enthusiastic about The Age being linked to the Caulfield Guineas as naming rights sponsor.

"The Age is delighted to be associated with the Melbourne Racing Club and the Caulfield Spring Racing Carnival. The Caulfield Guineas is one of the truly great races on the Australian racing and sporting calendar. We are looking forward to bringing readers the most comprehensive, quality coverage of what promises to be a wonderful race and yet another fantastic Spring carnival in Melbourne".

Further information
Melbourne Racing Club
Warran Brown
Chief Executive
Tel: (03) 9257 7200
Email: wbrown@melbourneracingclub.net.au

Media Liaison
Keith Hillier (for Chris West
Media Manager)
Tel: (03) 9257 7213
Email: khillier@melbourneracingclub.net.au


The Age
Nigel Henham
Communications Director
Tel: (03) 9601 2997
Email: nhenham@theage.com.au


Age a major sponsor of Caulfield spring racing carnival

THE Age has been elevated to one of Victorian thoroughbred racing’s major sponsors by becoming the official newspaper of the Caulfield spring carnival and has secured naming rights to the $1 million Caulfield Guineas.

The Guineas, a group 1 race over 1600 metres for three-yearolds, will be known as The Age Caulfield Guineas for at least the next three years. The race will be held on the first day of the carnival on October 14.

The managing director of Fairfax Victoria, Don Churchill, said The Age was delighted to be linked strongly with the Melbourne Racing Club and the
Caulfield Guineas, which he described as one of the great races on the Australian racing and sports calendar.

‘‘This partnership (with the Melbourne Racing Club), which strengthens our involvement in racing, is very much part of The Age’s strategy of playing a leadership role and forging closer links with the community,’’ Mr Churchill said.

MRC chief executive Warran Brown said: ‘‘This is a dream race for owners, and to win the classic over the testing trip for three-year-olds of 1600 metres is the highest quality measure of a thoroughbred.

‘‘Here at the Melbourne Racing Club we are delighted that the highest-quality newspaper, The Age, will now be part of the tradition and the dream,’’ Mr Brown said.

The announcement furthered The Age’s commitment to thoroughbred racing in Victoria.

Last year, The Age took over as naming rights sponsor of the group 2 $302,000 Age Classic (1200 metres) on the final day of the Victoria Racing Club’s spring carnival at Flemington.

Mr Churchill said it was fitting The Age should align itself with Caulfield, especially the Guineas. The Age was at Caulfield for the inaugural race meeting in 1879. ‘‘We are looking forward to bringing readers the most comprehensive, quality coverage of what promises to be a wonderful race and yet another fantastic spring carnival in Melbourne.’’

Mr Churchill paid tribute to racing writer Tony Bourke, who marked 40 years of service with The Age on July 18.

Published: Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Source: Melbourne Racing Club and The Age
Release Date: 1 Aug 2006 00:00