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VICTORIA RACING CLUB AND YORK RACECOURSE SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Victoria Racing Club and York Racecourse sign strategic partnership at iconic Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and York Racecourse have strengthened their ongoing relationship, signing a new strategic partnership on one of Australia’s greatest race days - Penfolds Victoria Derby Day - to solidify the connection between two of the world’s most renowned racecourses.

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson and York Racecourse Chairman Bridget Guerin signed the partnership on behalf of the two organisations, acknowledging the alignment between the racecourses.

The two race clubs are both steeped in history and share a mutual commitment to excellence through tradition and innovation. Both Flemington and York host world-class festivals that put each racecourse at the forefront of the international calendar.

York hosts the United Kingdom’s (UK) richest flat handicap, the AUD$990,000 (£500,000) Sky Bet Ebor Handicap, which was the first international golden ticket race for the AUD$8.56 million (£4.3 million) Lexus Melbourne Cup, introduced in 2023. It is the only golden ticket on offer in the UK and Europe.

Over the years, it has developed into a key Lexus Melbourne Cup lead-up. Ebor winners Give The Slip, Purple Moon and Heartbreak City all ran second in the race that stops a nation® while last year’s winner Absurde and this year’s runners Onesmoothoperator and Sea King will all step out on Tuesday.

This year’s Ebor Festival also saw Lexus Melbourne Cup runner Vauban win the Lonsdale Cup - a race won previously by Melbourne placegetters Persian Punch and Max Dynamite - ahead of his second Victorian campaign. While past Melbourne Cup Carnival winner Asfoora represented Australia at the meeting, finishing fourth in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

The signing of the alliances marks a significant membership benefit with VRC and York members able to enjoy reciprocal membership privileges.

VRC Chairman NeilWilson was delighted to announce the partnership on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“The beginning of Australia’s most famous week of racing, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, is a fitting time to celebrate the club’s links with racing organisations across the world,” Mr Wilson said.

“York Racecourse has hosted horse racing for almost 300 years and celebrates tradition while also embracing the ongoing evolution of their Ebor Festival.

“For more than three decades, the Ebor Handicap has been an important race ahead of the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

York Racecourse Chairman Bridget Guerin was proud to represent the club at the Melbourne Cup Carnival and sign the alliance.

“I am so proud to be here in Melbourne to sign this strategic partnership between the Victoria Racing Club and York Race Committee which embodies and further strengthens the ties between our clubs.

“The strong form lines over recent decades of horses who have run well at York and then come to compete at the highest level at Flemington looks as strong as ever this week,

“Both Neil and I see this new partnership between VRC and YRC as further strengthening the ties between our great racecourses and carnivals both on the track, between our teams and for our members as we both seek to promote the best in world racing.” Ms Guerin said.

The partnership with York Racecourse is the latest pillar in the VRC’s international strategic partnerships across the world. Formal alliances with Ascot Racecourse, Goodwood Racecourse and The Curragh Racecourse have also been signed in recent months.

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VICTORIA RACING CLUB AND YORK RACECOURSE SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

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