New Zealand Bloodstock's long-time foreign exchange provider, Collinson and Co, have signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with the newly named $100,000 Collinson Forex Karaka Cup (2200m).
Formerly named the Karaka Stayers Cup, the race was introduced in 2014 catering to the middle-distance and staying horses as an addition to theKaraka Million Series. This year will showcase even further enhancement to the Series with the Karaka Cup set to be held on Sunday 14 January at Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie Racecourse in the lead up to the 2018 Karaka Million Twilight Meeting, and with a prize purse that has quadrupled from the first edition in 2014.
"We have been involved with horses for a long time now," commented John Collinson, Managing Director and Owner of Collinson & Co.
"We have traded many horses through NZB Sales and had great success on the racetrack. Our very first purchase was a yearling named Shinnecock - he became a stakes winner and Group 1 performer. Beautiful Girl we purchased as a filly at the Yearling Sale and she went on to win the Group 3 Darley Plate.
"We also bred and raced He's Our Rokkii in his first three New Zealand starts. He then sold but we kept a share in him and he's been a once-in-a lifetime horse. We also have a half-brother to him entered in Book 1 (Lot 115) at Karaka 2018.
"The Karaka Million Series is a great incentive and we're thrilled to get behind it and be able to support the New Zealand racing industry."
Collinson & Co are an independent firm that provide a complete range of financial services from Foreign Exchange to Wealth Management. With a client first approach, their dedication to establishing long-term relationships helps them to develop effective foreign exchange and investment strategies which are values that have seen a fruitful relationship with NZB.
NZB's Director Andrew Seabrook welcomes the company's commitment to the thoroughbred industry.
"We have had a long association with Collinson & Co.
"Over the last 20 years we have established a solid relationship and it's great to have them on board in another part of the business."
The CollinsonForex Karaka Cup, run over 2200m, is open to all Karaka Million nominated Yearling Sale graduates for the duration of their racing careers.
While it carries enormous prestige in its own right, this race is the first of the hotly contested three-race Karaka Million Series.
The popular Karaka Million Twilight Meeting will be held on Saturday 27 January at Ellerslie Racecourse, rather than the traditional Sunday slot, and will feature the remaining Series races – the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO and the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic. In addition to the two $1 million feature events, the support card will now comprise four Group races cementing its position as the richest race meeting on the calendar.
