IRT to sponsor New Zealand Cup

Media release: September 2 2020

IRT (International Racehorse Transport) have secured the right to sponsor New Zealand’s greatest horse race, the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.

Addington Raceway’s Chief Executive, Brian Thompson, is thrilled to announce the New Zealand company will have the naming rights to the iconic harness race to be run at Addington on November 10.

“Richard Cole and the team at IRT have been huge supporters of the industry and Addington Raceway for many years, so it’s great to see the biggest global horse freighting company involved with the industry’s
biggest race,” said Thompson.

“Sharing this extraordinary event with IRT is something we are really looking forward to. We can’t wait for the build-up and the big day itself and we want to wish all involved good luck in the lead up to the IRT New
Zealand Trotting Cup Day 2020.”

While IRT have been generous sponsors of harness racing for many years they have stepped up their involvement enormously in the last two seasons to include the Harness Jewels and Inter Dominions.

“IRT NZ is proud to be the major sponsor of the NZ Trotting Cup for 2020 and is thrilled to be working with the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club for this elite event,” says IRT Co-Director Richard Cole.

“The directors of IRT look forward to enjoying lots of fantastic racing at IRT NZ Trotting Cup Day 2020."

The New Zealand Trotting Cup is not only the jewel in the crown of New Zealand harness racing but the centrepiece of New Zealand’s biggest racing day of any code.

Thompson and the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club also wish to thank long-term NZ Cup sponsors, Christchurch Casino, for their wonderful support of the Cup.

With all New Zealand sporting and racing organisations having to reassess budgets and expectations because of the economic effects of Covid-19, this year’s Cup will carry a stake of $540,000 which means, even though reduced on last season, it will be the richest harness race held in the Southern Hemisphere this season.

Addington Raceway look forward to releasing more details next week on ticketing and hospitality for its two magical days (November 10 and 13) of Cup week 2020.

For any questions on this media release, please contact
Carlo Gomez - [email protected]