Paris (France) / Saint-Imier (Switzerland), 5 October 2015 – Longines is proud to announce the extension of its long-term strategic partnership with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Longines and the IFHA also revealed the creation of the Longines World’s Best Horse Race award, which will recognize the highest-rated Group 1 or Grade 1 race at a ceremony to be held next January in London. This new prize will complete the set of awards created by Longines and the IFHA which are aiming to pay tribute to all actors of the equestrian universe.
During the 49
th International Conference of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice-President of Longines and Head of International Marketing announced the renewal of the partnership between the Swiss watch brand and the IFHA. As Longines has been associated with equestrian sports for more than a century, the brand is proud to be a long-term partner with the leading horseracing federation.
In the context of this partnership, Longines and the IFHA have created a set of prizes rewarding racehorses, jockeys and prominent women and men of the equestrian world. To complete this collection of awards, Longines and the IFHA announced today the creation of the Longines World’s Best Horse Race award. The first Longines World’s Best Horse Race award will be presented, alongside the Longines World’s Best Racehorse award, during a ceremony held in London in January 2016.
The Longines World's Best Horse Race will recognize the best-rated race of the 100 highest-rated Group 1 international races as established for the year by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top four finishers in each race over the past three years serve as basis for the assessment.
Vice-President and Head of International Marketing of Longines Juan-Carlos Capelli said: “In the same spirit as the Longines Best World’s Racehorse Award and Longines World’s Best Jockey Award, this event will honor a race where the commonly held values of Longines and the IFHA, namely tradition, elegance, and performance, are best highlighted.”
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Longines and look forward to further collaborating on promoting and recognizing the very best of horseracing,” said IFHA Chairman, Louis Romanet. “The commitment of Longines to showcase our sport on a global stage benefits all racing stakeholders and participants, and for that we are tremendously grateful.
Longines has been part of the horse racing world since 1878, when the watchmaking brand produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Three years later, it could be found in New York racecourses, where it allowed horse enthusiasts to time the performance to the second. Today, the brand is proud to partner renowned horse races all over the world.
About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 140 countries.
For further information please contact:
Longines International Public Relations
2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
publicrelations@longines.com
longines.com
