METRO Manila Turf Club Inc. (MMTCI) will host the second leg of the Prince Cup and King’s Gold Cup stakes on August 17, featuring a combined prize pool of ₱12 million, underscoring growing investment and interest in Philippine horse racing. Sponsored by Costa Cruises, DLTB, and the Philippine Racing Commission, the event will welcome special guests from UK auctioneers ThoroughBid and Tattersalls, signaling increasing international attention and potential European investment in the local racing industry. MMTCI Chairman Narciso Morales highlighted the sector’s resilience post-COVID-19 and announced plans to introduce “Claiming” races, modeled after Kentucky’s system, to boost ownership opportunities and attract more enthusiasts.
ThoroughBid’s CEO James Richardson expressed enthusiasm for modernizing and globalizing the bloodstock market by linking buyers and sellers across continents, with plans to explore sponsorship and cooperation opportunities to elevate Philippine racing’s global profile. The collaboration aims to improve local bloodstock quality and competitiveness through expertise from major auctioneers. The inaugural races saw undefeated Morally winning the Prince Cup and Sherbet Fountain taking the King’s Gold Cup, both ridden by jockey Mark Alvarez, trained by Ernesto Roxas, and owned by Gabriel Gaerlan.
