THE 53rd edition of the Castle Tankard was launched last Tuesday at the Race Course in Borrowdale, Harare.
The country’s oldest sponsored horse race will be held on May 16.
A stake of US$50 000 is up for grabs in a race to be run over 1 800 metres.
The Castle Tankard has remained a permanent feature on the country’s horse racing calendar.
Speaking at the launch of the 53rd edition of the Grade One race, Delta Beverages marketing manager Patricia Murambinda promised exciting competition packages for the consumers and traders from April 1 to race day.
“This year’s celebrations will have serious doses of intermittent excitement. These will come by way of a successful consumer and trader promotion which will run from April 1 to May 16 which will see some significant winners taking centre stage along the way.
“Consumers will have a chance to drive away with four Nissan NP200 vehicles and one double cab NP 300, generators, television sets and over US$30 000 in cash. Our traders will walk away with 1 500 cases of Castle Lager. Our punters will walk away with US$50 000 stake money,” said Murambinda.
Mashonaland Turf Club (MTC) boss Brian Black said the Castle Tankard stands as the test of the strength of the 53-year relationship between Delta and MTC.
The MTC boss acknowledged the commitment by Delta towards the race despite the difficulties being faced by the corporate sector.
“That the business environment is strained is fact and most businesses have long engaged in survival mode. We are therefore very pleased about our partner’s continued investment in the race, because this is also a direct investment into the development of horse racing,” said Black.
South African thoroughbred horses have dominated the country’s biggest horse race.
Last year, the 1 800 metre long race was won by Equina.
Six last winners of the Castle Tankard
2014 Equina
2013 A King Is Born
2012 Code Rock
2011 Grisham
2010 Winter’s Night
2009 Chill Out