20th edition of the President’s Cup

On Sunday 20th December at the Marsa Race Track we will have the 20th Edition of the President’s Cup which this year is being sponsored by Universal Cement.

This year’s interest from horse owners was quite high and in fact 44 horses took part in the four heats raced on Saturday 28th November from which 24 horses qualified for the two semi finals raced on Tuesday 8th December.

As was predicted these two semi finals reached a high standard as six horses from each made it through to the final. For this final the numbers with which the horses start are not drawn but selected by the owners themselves and so everyone does his best to obtain the best finish possible in order to be amongst the first to choose.

This year this final is being held in extraordinary circumstances as whilst it is usually a feast for all the family, due to the Covid19 pandemic health restrictions it will be held behind closed doors with no spectators. Nevertheless there will still be a parade before the start of the final with each horse wearing blankets given to them for the occasion.

Total prize money for the final will be €3600 and the first five finishers will be receiving a trophy. The winning horse will also get a commemorative horse blanket whilst the owner will be presented with the President’s Cup Trophy commissioned by H.E. President Emeritus George Abela which is the work of local artist George Muscat.

The owners chose these starting numbers in the presence of the Malta Racing Club Council

Member Joe Zerafa and Mark Mifsud Financial Controller of Universal Cement.

1. ZACK’S ZOOMER (Noel Baldacchino)

2. OUTPUT PRESSURE (Clint Vassallo)

3. DUKE OF MEARAS (Ludvic Ghigo)

4. BALTHAZAR MAZA (Caillin Borg)

5. NAVAJ BRODDA (Charles

Camilleri)

6. SIR Q.C. (Mario Fenech)

7. CORKY RAMIREZ (Paul Galea)

8. JOE HOO LEE (Tony Demanuele)

9. EURYTHMIC SISU (Kevin Sciberras)

10. LIAM DANA (Michael Ellul)

11. EAGLE B.BUTCHER (Jesmar Gafa’)

12. JULIO DE LUXE (Rodney Gatt)