RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY. A photo taken on Nov. 14, 2023 shows Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Mel Robles (4th from right) and Philippine Racing Commission chairman Reli de Leon (5th from left) during the opening of the second Philippine Horseracing and Breeding Expo at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta. The three-day event aimed to bring the industry closer to the general public. (Philracom photo)
MANILA – Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, the 2002 Asian Games gold medalist in equestrian, on Thursday congratulated the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) for successfully staging the second Philippine Horseracing and Breeding Expo at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta.
In a video message, she also expressed her hope that the relationship between the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) and Philracom would bring the public closer to fostering the growth of equine sports.
The video was played by EAP president Xavier Virata, who took to the stage to discuss rehoming and retraining ex-racehorses.
He said there is life for these equine athletes beyond racing.
The Philippine Red Cross, on the other hand, educated the public on proper first-aid and the basics of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
The morning activities included a race-calling contest where participants tried to be like true race-callers in the mold of Tony Trinidad and Ira Hererra, and for those wanting to emulate their racetrack idols, a horserace simulator was brought on stage, while zumba fanatics wearing creative cowboy costumes took part in the Dance and Fitness Marathon, which capped the Nov. 14-16 event.
“The Philippine Horseracing and Breeding Expo intends to bring the industry closer to the general public and the kareristas in order to revive the glory of local horseracing that was temporarily set aside by the recent pandemic. The expo also aims to make horseracing an integral part of the country’s sports tourism efforts,” said Philracom chairman Reli de Leon, who conceptualized the expo.
The expo, which is the first of its kind in local horseracing, was launched at the San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite in October last year, an event that drew the racing fans. (PNA)
