BMW partners MRC for 2015 Caulfield Cup Carnival
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) and BMW, the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles, are proud to announce they are reuniting for a multiyear partnership as of 1 August 2015.
The foundation of the partnership secures BMW with naming rights for the 2015 Caulfield Cup Carnival and its $3 million Group 1 flagship race.
Along with 2015 BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival designation rights, the partnership includes substantial on-course signage and branding presence, and also allows for on-course promotional activity, brand integration into content and entertainment opportunities.
In the 30 years since the Caulfield Cup first included a partner brand, just two companies have sponsored the race.
BMW previously partnered with MRC for a number of years and are now returning for the 10th running of BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival.
MRC Chief Executive Officer, Brodie Arnhold, expressed his delight at the reunion with BMW.
“The Caulfield Cup Carnival is one of Australia’s greatest sporting events and the Cup itself one of our most illustrious, time-honoured races, constantly growing in international renown,” Arnhold said.
“It befits a partner of similar repute, and there are few, if any, more premium or appropriate than BMW.”
“Caulfield showcases the finest in horseflesh; BMW, the finest in horsepower.”
“The two complement each other perfectly, a match we know well from the best part of a decade of successful partnership.”
“We’re thrilled at reuniting with BMW and look forward to working with their talented team to confirm the Caulfield Cup Carnival as an iconic event, and its racing product as world-class.”
BMW Group Australia CEO, Marc Werner, is equally delighted with the company’s return to horse racing;
“There are great synergies between BMW and thoroughbred racing at the highest levels: both emphasise a passion for performance and a highly competitive spirit,” Werner said.
BMW Group Australia’s general manager of marketing, Stuart Jaffray, said the company had a long standing association with horse racing in Australia;
“BMW Australia has a twenty year history with the sport of kings, and we are very excited to strengthen our relationship with the sport by reigniting our relationship with the MRC as naming rights partner of the BMW Caulfield Cup,” Jaffray said.
“This sponsorship will cement BMW’s position as the premium automotive partner of Group One racing in Australia.”
The MRC also confirmed that the club would continue its long-term relationship with CUB, naming rights sponsor of the 2014 Caulfield Cup.
“Carlton and United Breweries is a highly valued and loyal partner of the MRC,” Arnhold said.
“We will continue to have a really strong relationship with the CUB team, who we are extremely grateful to.”
“Our solid association is set to continue long into the future, both in terms of pourage rights at our 16 racing and non-racing venues, and as a partner in racing and entertainment.”
The sponsorship announcement coincides with some minor alterations to the qualifying conditions of the Caulfield Cup.
The Group 1 Pries Grosser von Baden, run in early September in Germany, replaces the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup as a race granting its winner a guaranteed start in the Caulfield Cup, as well as a rebate for accepting to run in the race.
The winner of the Ebor Handicap (UK) will now also pass the first ballot clause for the Cup, which previously it did not, and an additional clause, concerning prize money, has been included to prevent ballot order deadlocks.
Moreover, two of the Caulfield Cup Carnival’s Group 2 features will enjoy prize money increases in 2015: the Schillaci Stakes (1100m) and Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) will each be worth $400,000 – double their previous value.
The lucrative bonus attached to the $500,000 Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) has also enjoyed a makeover, with winners and placegetters from five Group 1s able to race for an additional $500,000.
