Emirates Airline has become the official sponsor of Malta’s prestigious trotting trophy, It-Tazza il-Kbira for the next three seasons.
Thefamous Cup is awarded to the winning horse, which on Easter Sunday beats the other seven qualifying competitors in the race.
Emirates Manager for Malta and Cyprus Mr Paul Fleri Soler and Malta Racing Club (MRC) Chairman Dr Matthew Brincat made the announcement at a media conference held at the Marsa club yesterday.
“Emirates’ sponsorship of It-Tazza l-Kbira is coinciding on a special occasion for the Malta Racing Club as the final, taking place on Easter Sunday, will be held on the 140th anniversary since the first race meeting was organised at the Malta Racing Club, way back in 1869,” said Dr Brincat.
The quarter-finals and the semi-finals will be held tomorrow and on Sunday 29 March respectively. Contrary to other tournaments, It-Tazza l-Kbira championship is open to all trotters and classes, hence the winner of the final showdown on Easter Sunday, according to this Cup’s tradition, is considered as the best trotting horse in Malta.
Mr Fleri Soler said: “The signing of this three-year sponsorship with the Malta Racing Club underlines Emirates’ commitment to horseracing enthusiasts in Malta. We believe our association with MRC will help bring Emirates closer to horseracing enthusiasts in Malta.
Emirates sponsors two of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events: the Dubai World Cup and the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
The Dubai World Cup brings together the best horses from around the world to compete in the sport’s richest race with US$6 million in prize money, at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, Dubai.
The Emirates Melbourne Cup is the zenith of Australian horse-racing, which is billed as ‘the race that stops a nation’ due to its popularity with the Australian population and racing enthusiasts around the world. Emirates is also involved in a huge variety of sports including football, sailing, golf, tennis, cricket and rugby,” he said.
This is the first time that Emirates is partnering with the Malta Racing Club. A total of 89 horses have registered for It-Tazza l-Kbira which is open to all horses registered with the Club.
The winner will be awarded the coveted It-Tazza l-Kbira for a year. The total prize money for the final is e3,900, consisting of a first prize of e2,500, e800 for the runner-up; e400 for the third place and e200 for the fourth place. The first four places will all get a trophy. An Emirates horse blanket (ghata) will be presented to the winner of It-Tazza l-Kbira.
Dr Brincat thanked Emirates for providing the necessary financial support. “Supporting It-Tazza l-Kbira also confirms Emirates’ commitment to back up initiatives and traditions that are meaningful to the Maltese and live up to our aims to generate strong competitions at Marsa and continue to compete successfully on some of the most renowned racing tracks in Europe,” he said.
Emirates operates flights from Dubai to Malta on a daily schedule with a stopover in Larnaca, Cyprus. This service also offers Emirates passengers the added option of flying between Malta and Larnaca.