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New Zealand Bloodstock is excited to enter a partnership with the Newcastle Jockey Club, sponsoring the A$160,000 Group 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Spring Stakes (1600m) on November 16.
First run in 1987, the three-year-old feature has been won by subsequent Group 1 stars such as Ebony Grosve (NZ) (Grosvenor), Dracula (Quest For Fame), Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge), Universal Prince (Scenic), Lotteria (Redoute's Choice) and Hotel Grand (Grand Lodge).
Recent winners Sweynesse (Lonhro) and Proisir (Choisir) have since retired to stud in New Zealand and have been well received, boosting the race's standing on that side of the Tasman.
New Zealand Bloodstock already has a significant involvement with the Victorian Spring Carnival, sponsoring the New Zealand Bloodstock Caulfield WFA Championship and the A$1 million Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) and the $150,500 Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m).
The new partnership with Newcastle provides an exciting opportunity to get involved with the rapidly growing spring racing calendar in New South Wales.
"I see many positives in building a relationship between New Zealand Bloodstock and the Newcastle Jockey Club," said Mike Kneebone, New Zealand Bloodstock's Director of Business Development.
"The Newcastle Jockey Club boasts an excellent and popular racing surface and facilities, and large local community support.
"The New Zealand Bloodstock Spring Stakes fits in with our breed, and the timing works for both our Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds in November and our flagship Sale, the Karaka Yearling Sale in January.
"With direct flights between Auckland and Newcastle, the city is the gateway to the iconic Hunter Valley and makes it even easier to visit Karaka. As one of the best value-for-money Sales in the world, we would like to encourage many more to do so.
"Our sponsorship commitment in Australia has grown in recent years, and we are committed to giving back to the industry. We also appreciate the support our provincial Australian clients give us.
"We would like to thank Matt Benson (Newcastle Jockey Club Chief Executive) and his team for putting together what I believe will be a long-lasting and successful race sponsorship."
Benson was delighted to welcome New Zealand Bloodstock on board as a major sponsor.
"The Newcastle Jockey Club is very excited to have commenced a relationship with New Zealand Bloodstock," he said. "We are hoping for a long-term and mutually beneficial association.
"There are some real synergies between the two organisations that we are keen to exploit, and we are looking forward to welcoming our Kiwi counterparts to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley on a regular basis.
"Being a three-year-old event over 1600 metres, the Group 3 Spring Stakes is a really nice fit with New Zealand Bloodstock, and we want more New Zealand horses coming over to compete here."
Benson added that there will also be movement in the opposite direction.
"We are bringing a group from the Newcastle Jockey Club over to the Karaka Sales next January and hope to make that an annual event," he said. -NZB