Web Posted - Thu Jan 20 2005

With 24 horses nominated last Friday, at the closing of the first subscription for the 24th running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, including 11 horses from overseas, along with further inquiries from other overseas owners asking if they can come in at the second stage of nominations, shows that the race has certainly grown in statue, and this year's race will without a doubt be very competitive, accord- ing to BTC Racing Operations Manager, Chris Armond, at a press conference held earlier this week, at the Finish Line Restaurant, Garrison, Savannah.
Armond, said the Barbados Tourist Authori-ty, is very involved with Sandy Lane and the Barbados Turf Club, and the promotion of the race, and it will again be covered by Television Games Network, a dedicated horse racing channel in the USA, which will allow about 20 million to see the race, and some various features that accompany the race. He further said that arrangements were almost completed to have the race broadcast in Europe and Asia, which means the market reached this year would be very extensive.

Averil Byer, Director Marketing, of the BTA, said this year's Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup was setting up to be one of the best ever.

Byer said horse racing had a special significance for the BTA, as visitors come to see, not only the horses run, but all the other attractions that accompany the Gold Cup Day. Byer also revealed that over 500 visitors come to Barbados every year specifically for the race, and they extend the stay for approximately a week, putting over $1 million in the local economy.

Byer revealed that Sports Tourism has continued to grow, and events such as the Sandy Lane Gold Cup contribute significantly to the development of Barbados, as a unique tourist destination.

She said that with horses coming from the United States and Canada, along with the unparalleled coverage that goes out to millions overseas, goes well for our tourism product. Dyer, said that with the exposure from the other various features that accompany the running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, adds volumes to their promotional efforts, and in the long term reaps benefits by attracting visitors from the competing countries in their numbers, who not only come to enjoy the race, but to take part in all that Barbados has to offer.

President of the BTC, Robert Bourque, said he expects that this year's Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup Day, will be bigger and better than ever before. He said along with the Sandy Lane race, the development of the Gold Cup Festival was to expand the coverage, and media coverage of the event, and working with the BTA, they now reach over 20 000 with the live TV telecast, in North America, and in addition to this through Julian Armfield, representing the BBC they were able to access over 100 million radio listeners.

The BTC President, went on to say that this year they are working with the BTA, in trying to get the race telecast live in the United Kingdom.

General Manager of Sandy Lane, Colm Hannon said that their relationship with the Barbados Turf Club, began nine years ago when they sponsored this premier horse racing event in the Caribbean for the first time, and he reaffirmed Sandy Lane's dedication to the Gold Cup.

Hannon said Sandy Lane's aim as a five diamond resort is in pursuit of excellence and the development and execution of the Sandy Lane Gold Cup and all the activities surrounding it are in tandem with their pursuit.

The Sandy Lane General Manager, then handed over a cheque for Bds$200 000 to BTC president Robert Bourque.

The Sandy Lane Gold Cup 2004 featured more foreign horses than in previous years.

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