Longines - Longines Singapore Gold Cup 2012
Singapore, Saint-Imier (Switzerland) - 11 November 2012 - The third installment of the Longines Singapore Gold Cup 2012 raised a total of S$236,728 for the Chaoyang School through a charity luncheon. The crown jewel event of local turf with a S$1.35 million prize purse, ensures that this domestic Group One race is one of the most prestigious races in the region. Alan Munro aboard Better Life was the first to dash past the finishing line, joining the realms of local racing legends immortalised by their triumphs in the high profile race. The Longines Saint-Imier Collection was also awarded to the winning jockey, Mr. Alan Munro, the horse-trainer, Mr. Takaoka and owner, Mrs. Kusumoto to recognize their merits.
This milestone race was attended by Guest-of-Honour, Chairman of Tote Board, Mr Bobby Chin, Longines Vice-President and Head of International Marketing, Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli and Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Traditionally, the Singapore Gold Cup Day is designated as an annual Charity Race Day. Since Longines took on the title sponsorship in 2010, Longines has continued to dedicate this event towards charity, raising funds for Chaoyang School, one of the social service programmes supported by Community Chest. A charity auction was held showcasing Mr. Ong Kim Seng's painting, a timepiece from The Longines Saint-Imier Collection, a stunning hat donned by Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Prix de Diane Longines in June 2011, as well as six art pieces done by the students of Chaoyang School to raise funds together with table sales and outright donations. The charity luncheon raised S$236,728.
Commenting on Longines' role in the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Longines' Vice President & Head of International Marketing said, "As the Official Partner and Timekeeper of the Singapore Turf Club, Longines is proud to present the Longines Singapore Gold Cup for the third year. We are enthusiastic about the good synergy formed from this partnership and look forward to continuity."
Longines' passion for horses began with the manufacture of a pocket chronograph depicting a jockey and his mount, engraved by hand on the back of the case. Since 1881, Longines is committed to horseracing and its chronographs have been highly sought after by racegoers ever since. The brand today is official partner and timekeeper to numerous prestigious events around the world embracing horse racing, show jumping and endurance riding. Alongside the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, it is affiliated to other iconic races such as the Prix de Diane Longines, the Dubai World Cup, the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Royal Ascot, the H.H. The Emir's Trophy presented by Longines, the Longines Hong Kong International races, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Longines Handicap de las Americas, the Grand Prix Longines Lydia Tesio, the Longines Grosser Preis von Baden and the Kentucky Derby.