Addington "delighted" as Harness Jewels partner revealed

11 February 2019 | Michael Guerin

New Zealand’s home of harness racing Addington has joined forces with one of the biggest names in the racing industry as the major sponsor for their Harness Jewels.

 IRT, one of the world’s largest and most respected horse transportation companies, have secured the naming rights for the first ever Jewels to be held at Addington on June 1.

 Securing their key sponsor so early and to have it be a major industry player such as IRT is a huge win for Addington as their count down to their first Jewels meeting.

 “Addington is delighted to have been given the opportunity to host the Harness Jewels for the first time.,” says new chief executive Brian Thompson.

“We are also excited Richard Cole and his team at IRT are the naming rights sponsor and are the overall principal partner of the Harness Jewels. 

“IRT have been huge supporters of the industry for many years so it’s great to see the biggest global horse freighting company involved with such an iconic event.

”We can’t wait for the build-up and big day itself and we want to wish all involved good luck in the lead up to the IRT Harness Jewels.

“We are very much looking forward to hosting an outstanding day in conjunction with IRT and HRNZ.”

Richard Cole from IRT says he is thrilled that IRT New Zealand have become the naming rights sponsor and principal partner of the Jewels.  

“It is fantastic to be able to continue IRT’s long standing support of the Standardbred market especially as a partner in a Harness Racing event of this magnitude,” said Cole.

“ And, as a helper of industry as a whole, IRT looks forward to continuing its ongoing support to help secure a bright future for an industry we all love so well.”

While the Jewels are always a huge day on the New Zealand racing calendar this year’s rendition could top all others.

 Not only does the Jewels move to the home of harness racing in Addington but the early indications are the fields for the age group series of races could be the strongest ever.

 The four-year-old division for one boasts the likes of Auckland Cup winner Turn It Up, Inter Dominion heat winners Spankem and Pats Delight, Auckland Cup placegetter Ashley Locaz and multiple country cups winner Funatthebeach.

And the three-year-old pacing filly division could bring together last season’s defending champion Princess Tiffany against Alexandra Park’s December fillies Triple Crown winner Belle Of Montana as many of the glamour division look to have more depth that ever before.

And after last season’s successful Australian raid on the Jewels at Cambridge, Addington and HRNZ officials are confident of another significant Australian contingent, further boasting interest across the Tasman in the day which hosts nine group one races.

 IRT Harness Jewels Hospitality Tickets will go on sale from mid-February and the General Admission Tickets are available from Monday 1 April.

 

Related News

29 March 2024
Gibson family honoured in more ways than one at Bathurst Carnival
SINCE the inception of the Bathurst Gold Crown in 1987, the Gibson family and their Success Stud have positively contributed to shaping the hugely-successful juvenile carnival. Originally based in Queensland before relocating to the idyllic Young region, the late John Gibson initially operated Success...
29 March 2024
Group 1 mares add star power to Riverina Championships
Four Group 1 winning mares - including two currently considered to be among the nation’s best - will clash in an intriguing battle at the Riverina Championships finals program at Wagga on Sunday. The meeting features two $100,000 finals for four and five year-old pacers - one each for the boys...
29 March 2024
Ford looking for Gold on Good Friday
The combined harness and greyhound meeting on Good Friday night in Hobart is fast becoming a Tassie racing tradition, and it’s back again with eight greyhound races and six harness events making up this year’s 14-race program. Driver Dylan Ford will be out to continue his excellent start...
28 March 2024
New HRV chair Adam Kilgour on challenges, opportunities
Newly appointed Harness Racing Victoria chair Adam Kilgour says his passion for a challenge and the people in racing drives his desire to strengthen the industry. Kilgour was yesterday announced to replace Dale Monteith as the head of the board, on which he has served since 2018, and said he was eager...
28 March 2024
La sun of a gun emerges as Blackbook zeros in on breeding line
La Machane won 20 of her 61 starts and more than $330,000 for connections in Ross and Greg Sugars' care and the mare's making just as big an impression in the breeding barn. Having given us La Puddie ($137,179) and La Captain ($182,020), the Bettors Delight mare has another nice type in Benbullan, who...
Click for more