The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) and Ladbrokes have today extended their Principal Partner sponsorship for a further ten years. Having commenced in 2017, the partnership encompasses ‘Australia’s Best Race’ – the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, which will celebrate its Centenary running this Saturday.

The Moonee Valley Racing Club is one of Australia’s leading thoroughbred racing clubs, with ‘The Valley’ home to the W.S. Cox Plate and is the country’s premier night racing venue. This partnership with Ladbrokes further signifies their support of the MVRC and thoroughbred racing in Australia.

The 2022 Ladbrokes Cox Plate marks the sixth year of the partnership and builds upon the great success of Winx’s 3rd Cox Plate victory in 2017, her historic 4th Cox Plate in 2018, and the first Japanese Cox Plate victory by Lys Gracieux in 2019.

With no crowds attending the 2020 Spring Carnival, the Club celebrated the 100th running of the W.S. Cox Plate with Sir Dragonet victorious. The 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, won by Irish raider State Of Rest, was the highest-rated race run in Australia last year and the 15th-best race across the world.

Moonee Valley Racing Club Chairman Don Casboult was delighted to announce this partnership extension. “The wonderful relationship that has developed between the MVRC and Ladbrokes over the past six years has been critically important for our Club, and securing this extension through until 2033 will allow us to continue to present the Ladbrokes Cox Plate as Australia’s Best Race.

“There was no better way to commence our long-term partnership than Winx’s famous victories in 2017 and 2018. We have built upon that early success, and we are committed to working closely with Ladbrokes to ensure that the W.S. Cox Plate retains its exalted status on the world stage.

“Ladbrokes are also wonderful supporters of our premium night racing at The Valley, including the naming rights partnership for the $2m Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes, which will launch our 2022 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival on Friday night.

“The length of this new partnership will support the Club to deliver our vision in creating ‘The Valley of Tomorrow’ with the construction of a new racecourse and facilities following the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival. As our Principal Partner, we welcome Ladbrokes’ input into shaping this exciting vision for our great Club.

Entain Chief Executive Officer Dean Shannon stated that “we are thrilled to extend our relationship as the major partner of the Moonee Valley Racing Club and of course, the naming rights sponsor of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate for a further ten years.

“Our sponsorship of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate is the jewel in the crown of our extensive sponsorship portfolio, and it seems only fitting that Australia’s Best Race should be sponsored by Australia’s leading racing-focused bookmaker.

“For over 100 years, Moonee Valley has been the stage where the world’s equine elite have come to play and with exciting development plans in place, we are delighted to be able to work with the MVRC Committee, leadership team and members to help deliver the Valley of Tomorrow. “Our new agreement represents a new benchmark for racing partnerships, and it enables us to work together to help grow interest in thoroughbred racing, to tell the stories of participants and to continue to engage and grow new audiences with our unique approach to content and product development.

“I’d like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Chairman Don Casboult, CEO Michael Browell and their hard-working team, and we look forward to another thrilling edition of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate on Saturday.”

MVRC