racing_news/

At The Races To Sponsor Group One Premio Presidente Della Repubblica
09/05/05

At The Races will be sponsoring the Group One Premio Presidente Della Repubblica to be run at Rome's Capannelle racecourse on Sunday May 15th. Total prize money for the race will be 440,000 euros, the richest race in Italy for four year olds and upwards.

Premio Presidente Della Repubblica was won twice, in 1987 and 1988, by Italian Prix de L'Arc De Triomphe hero Tony Bin. Prize money was boosted in 2000 after which followed an impressive list of winners: in 2000 Timboroa, 2001 Paolini, 2002 Falbrav, 2003 Rakti and 2004 Altieri.

After today's final forfeit stage, 20 horses stood their ground in Sunday's race including:

• Rakti, whose trainer Michael Jarvis has still to announce his preference between Saturday's 1m Lockinge Stakes and another trip to Rome.

• Italian leading old horse, Altieri, who has passed up an invitation to Hong Kong in his bid to repeat last year's triumph at Capannelle.

• Marcus Tregoning's recent Nad Al Sheba Group 2 winner, Alkaadhem,

• Soldier Hollow and Dayano from Germany.

• Touch Of Land from France.

• Veteran local trainer, Lorenzo Brogi's, duo Vol de Nuit and Distant Way, both of whom are reportedly in great shape.

Matthew Imi, Chief Executive of At The Races, said: "We have a long standing and very successful relationship with the Italian racing industry and are delighted to be sponsoring this highly prestigious race at Italy's number one racecourse. This is the first in a number of initiatives we have in mind to further develop awareness of our brand and our racecourse partners in a market that has a genuine appetite for betting on UK racing product."

Elio Pautasso, Director General, Capannelle Racecourse, said: "We are very pleased that At The Races will be sponsoring this great race and look forward to extending our relationship with them in the coming months. We believe that the considerable exposure this race receives within our domestic market will be of great benefit to At The Races and we look forward to introducing them to our colleagues within Italian racing."