Lion has announced it is name partner of The Kosciuszko – the world’s richest country thoroughbred race, part of The Everest event day, and innovative new program of punter engagement.
The Kosciuszko will be run over 1200m at Royal Randwick, as part of The Everest meeting on October 13.
It is restricted to NSW country-trained horses and offers $1.3 million in prize money, making it the world’s richest race for country thoroughbreds.
Parent event The Everest is the all-round richest event on turf, in 2018 worth $13 million. More than $16 million in prizemoney will be on offer on the day.
The Kosciuszko will be similar in concept to its big brother, where outsiders can pay $600k to be a ‘slot-holder’ in the race, negotiating with owners for a split of the prizemoney.
The difference is that it only costs $5 for an entry into The Kosciuszko slot-holder stakes, with a draw on 14 September announcing the 12 lucky winners, each then able to select a horse trained in NSW country to race in their entry.
The initiative is a joint venture with the Australian Hotels Association, Tabcorp and Racing NSW. Tickets to the draw can be purchased at AHA NSW hotels with TABs, or through TAB Electronic Betting Terminals.
“In country towns across NSW the local pubs and the racing community have supported each other for over a century. We’re thrilled to back the world’s richest country race,” says AHA NSW CEO John Whelan.
“We really think our patrons, especially our hotel punters clubs, will get behind this exciting opportunity. For the cost of a $5 ticket it gives everyone the chance to ‘own’ a runner in a $1.3 million race on Everest Day.”
Racing NSW has pledged $125,000 from ticket sales to charity Aussie Helpers, supporting NSW farmers.
Lion will sponsor the race with its conveniently named Kosciuszko pale ale, born in a Jindabyne microbrewery in 2009.
“Lion has a long association with racing in Australia, and our support for The Kosciuszko will continue this great tradition,” says Lion MD James Brindley.
“It is fitting that the race and the beer are both named after Australia’s highest peak – perfect to showcase the pinnacle of country racing and the very best in brewing.”
*Coming from a Polish explorer of Australia’s Great Dividing Range, Kosciuszko is correctly pronounced ‘Ko-shoos-ko’.