Prestigious sponsorship for Malta Racing Club

A promising deal was concluded on Friday between the Malta Racing Club and its French counterpart, Société d'Encouragement à l'Elevage du Cheval Francaise (SECF).

SECF chairman Dominique de Bellaigue promised increased assistance from his French associates and announced that a cash sponsorship of €30,000 (around Lm12,700) will be given to support a French Trotters Race to be held at MRC between July and August.

The French delegation consisted of Jacques Chartier, racing manager SECF and general delegate of UET, Mr de Bellaigue, chairman of the French Trotting Association and also chairman of the European Trotting Union (UET), and Guillaume Maupas, PA to Mr Chartier and in charge of International Relations at SECF.

MRC chairman George Fenech met and greeted the delegation yesterday afternoon at the Club in Marsa. They were later joined by the Minister for Sport, Jesmond Mugliett and Finance Minister John Dalli, where they followed races using the recently inaugurated floodlighting system.

Both ministers expressed appreciation for the UET and SECF renewed support for horse racing in Malta. The delegates in turn also praised the Malta Racing Club for its achievements to date and for its constant endeavor to improve the level of this sport in Malta.

After holding talks with Mr Fenech, Mr Chartier announced his determination to see greater co-operation between the European association and MRC.

It was after Mr Chartier's intervention at UET that the Malta Racing Club rejoined the UET, from which it had recently withdrawn in protest for lack of desired support. Mr Fenech thanked Mr Chartier for his support which, he said, was a determining factor in Malta's rejoining of this prominent continental organisation.

As a matter of fact Mr Chartier promised more assistance from his French associates at the French Trotters Association (SECF).

Malta is a major recipient of French Trotters in Europe, according to Mr de Bellaigue. He expressed his delegation's determination to improve relations and co-operation between the Malta Racing Club and SECF at all levels.

During their two-day visit the French delegates called on the French Ambassador, Patrick Chrismant. They also met some horse owners and toured their stables in various parts of the island.