Auckland’s Biggest Party is coming to Ellerslie

Media Release
19 February 2009

International Hopes For New Zealand’s Richest Sporting Event
Auckland’s Biggest Party is coming to Ellerslie

Auckland Cup Week kicks off at Ellerslie on February 28, as Auckland Racing Club hosts New Zealand’s richest sporting event, with a number of internationally owned horses looking to plunder the riches.

Offering almost $5 million in stakes, fashion prizes and trophies across three action-packed race days, the celebrations at Ellerslie are part of a week-long festival of racing with a total prize purse of $7 million across the three racing codes. .

Auckland Cup Week celebrates all the style, tradition and glamour of New Zealand's thoroughbred racing alongside the country’s best Harness and Greyhound Racing.

The excitement at Ellerslie starts on Telecom Derby Day, with the richest race in New Zealand, the $2.2 million Telecom New Zealand Derby alongside the Mercedes Prix de Fashion, the national Fashions in the Field final.

Auckland’s best excuse for a half-day off, Stella Artois Auckland Cup Day follows on Wednesday 4 March, as the finest stayers in the country line up to race over 3,200 metres for the $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup.

SKYCITY Diamond Day wraps Auckland’s biggest party at Ellerslie on Saturday 7 March. It’s the perfect way for ladies to celebrate the week that was in glamour and style with the chance to win a $25,000 diamond from Angela Daniel Jewellery.

Auckland Racing Club CEO, Chris Weaver is excited at the prospect of a huge week at Ellerslie, with so much on offer and such a high level of international interest in New Zealand’s richest sporting event.

“During the 2008/09 season we have been working hard to develop the strengths of Auckland Cup Week. What we have on offer now is the richest sporting event and racing carnival in the country, as well as the richest Derby in the Southern Hemisphere, the Telecom New Zealand Derby.

“We only have to look to the interest from across the ditch and throughout Asia to realise the calibre of this event. Top Australian jockey Michael Rodd and the Bede Murray-trained Coniston Bluebird head our international contingent. We also have a number of Kiwi horses that have been retained to race here in the Telecom New Zealand Derby instead of being sold to Hong Kong. This is a reflection of the high stakes on offer and is a real testament to a local industry working hard to compete globally,” he said.

Auckland Cup Week also includes a number of supporting events, throughout the week and around the city.

Telecom New Zealand Derby Day is followed by the Auckland Cup Week Parade of Champions down Broadway Newmarket on Sunday 1st March from midday. The parade celebrates all three codes of Thoroughbred Racing, Harness Racing and Greyhound Racing, alongside fashion and the best that Newmarket, the Official Fashion Precinct of Auckland Cup Week, has to offer.

Greyhound Racing and Harness Racing then celebrate their own Auckland Cup race meetings on Thursday 5 March and Friday 6 March respectively.

The action at Ellerslie will be fast-paced all week, as New Zealand and Australia’s best jockeys compete for the richest sporting purses in the country, and the country’s best dressed racing fashionistas compete for more than $135,000 worth of prizes.

Racegoers are encouraged to enter into the Derby spirit on Telecom Derby Day and dress to the traditions of Black and White! There will be a special prize for the best and most elegant themed black and white outfit on the day, courtesy of Telecom.

With refurbishments recently completed, alongside new and exciting trackside hospitality options, Ellerslie has established itself as Auckland’s premiere entertainment option for the ultimate day out.

From the family friendly infield to the glamorous trackside location of Cuvée Champagne Bar and Lawn, the place to be seen throughout the week, Ellerslie caters for everyone.

For tickets and hospitality options visit www.aucklandcupweek.co.nz

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