Longines - Melbourne Cup Carnival
As the Official Timekeeper of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Longines continues a b partnership with the Victorian Racing Cup approaching its twelfth year. The Swiss watch brand is the Title Partner of the Longines Mackinnon Stakes, won this year by British trainer Andrew Balding and his star gallop Side Glance and jockey, Jamie Spencer. Owner Sheik Fahad Al Thani is one of the luckiest visiting owners to ever come to Melbourne as for the third consecutive year, saw one of his horses win a major prize at the Spring Carnival. In 2011, Sheikh Fahad's Dunaden won the Melbourne Cup, Australia's race that stops the nation, Longines was thrilled to see the same colours win the Longines Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday.
A key highlight in the Longines' Carnival Program is the partnership of the international Group 1 Race on AAMI Victorian Derby Day, the Longines Mackinnon Stakes. On Saturday, Jamie Spencer on Side Glance won the Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. The Longines timepiece trophies were presented by Longines General Manager Australia, Amelia Michael.
Saturday, a crowd of 100,000 explodes out of the start gate as the first race meet on the 2013 Melbourne Cup Calendar. Derby Day, a day of tradition presents the perfect scene for race-goers with four elite Group One races run at Flemington and mirrors an equal celebration of high fashion race-wear. An undisputed institution of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is the 'Myer Fashions on the Field' held at Flemington and is pronounced as Australia's largest outdoor fashion event. Amelia Michael presented the winner of the Longines Award for Elegance, Louise McDonald, with a sparkling timepiece of the Longines DolceVita Collection. Amelia Michael, Longines General Manager Australia also awarded the Men's Racewear winner, and runner-up an elegant Longines timepiece.
As a proud partner of the most prestigious flat races in the world, Longines was delighted to launch Conquest Classic - a collection of timepieces to be worn amidst the excitement of the parade rings at Chantilly, Hong Kong, Royal Ascot and Flemington. The official Watch of the 2013 Carnival was a chronograph from the new Conquest Classic Collection in steel, fitted with a self-winding calibre.
Longines - Partnership with the Singapore Turf Club
This landmark partnership sees the Singapore Turf Club embarking on a long-term partnership with an internationally renowned watch brand. As part of this partnership, the "Singapore Gold Cup" has been renamed "Longines Singapore Gold Cup". This inaugural race took place on 14 November 2010.
The Longines Singapore Gold Cup is the crown jewel of the local turf. With prize money of S$1.35 million, this domestic Group One race is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious races in the region. A Longines Admiral Chronograph was also awarded to the winning jockey, to the horse-trainer and horse-owner to recognize their merit.
Glen Boss on Risky Business made history as they emerged victorious in the inaugural race. Trained by Steven Burridge, Risky Business is joining the realm of local racing legends immortalized by their triumphs in this high profile race.
This milestone race was attended by the Patron of the Club, the nation's head of state, His Excellency Mr S R Nathan, Longines President, Mr. Walter von Känel, Longines Ambassadress of Elegance, Ms. Denise Keller and 300 guests.
Traditionally, the Singapore Gold Cup is designated as an annual Charity Race Day. This year, Longines raised funds for APSN Chao Yang School, one of the social service programmes supported by Community Chest through the Longines Singapore Gold Cup Charity luncheon. A total amount of S$ 266'832 was raised to support the cause. Besides outright donations and table sales, funds were also raised through a charity auction of a Longines PrimaLuna Thousand and One Nights timepiece and six rocking horses embellished with art created by the students of Chao Yang School and Longines Ambassadors of Elegance, Ms. Chi Ling Lin and Ms. Denise Keller.
"Community Chest is grateful to Longines for the partnership through the Longines Singapore Gold Cup. We need continual support from donors to ensure that our beneficiaries, including children with special needs, can continue to benefit from critical social service programmes that equip them with the necessary skills for independence and integration into society," said Mr Phillip Tan, Member, Community Chest Committee and Vice-President, National Council of Social Service Board.
For over 178 years Longines has long established its brand image which equates to elegance, and also firmly focuses the brand's core objective on raising global awareness and charity involvements.
About Longines
Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on more than 178 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World's leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.
About the Singapore Turf Club
Founded in 1842 as the Singapore Sporting Club, the Singapore Turf Club is today the only authorised operator of horse-racing and its totalisator services in Singapore. It aspires to be an efficient, effective and socially responsible organisation, committed to providing legalised wagering on quality horse racing with integrity. It is the agent and proprietary club of the Tote Board, Singapore, which manages and directs the Club's donation of surplus funds for charitable purposes.
Visit www.turfclub.com.sg
About Community Chest of Singapore
Community Chest raises funds on a yearly basis to meet the needs of the social service programmes it helps support. Community Chest ensures that the fund-raising and other operating costs are kept to a minimum. As these costs are covered mainly by Tote Board and Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, every dollar raised by Community Chest will be made available to social service programmes under its care.
For more information about Community Chest, visit www.comchest.sg