Cainta, Philippines - The second Philippine Horseracing and Breeding Expo, meticulously orchestrated by the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom), has culminated in triumph at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta.
According to Philippines News Agency, the esteemed equestrian athlete, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, renowned for clinching the gold medal in the 2002 Asian Games, extended her heartfelt felicitations to Philracom for the resounding success.
Cojuangco-Jaworski, conveying her optimism through a video message, voiced her hope for a productive collaboration between the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) and Philracom, envisioning a bright future for equine sports in the nation. EAP President Xavier Virata took the stage, facilitating discussions on the rehoming and retraining of ex-racehorses, emphasizing that a life beyond racing awaits these equine athletes.
Further enhancing the expo's value, the Philippine Red Cross engaged the public, providing essential education on proper first-aid techniques and the fundamentals of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. The event showcased a riveting race-calling contest, where participants aspired to emulate the prowess of iconic race-callers such as Tony Trinidad and Ira Hererra. For those with aspirations to mimic their racetrack idols, a captivating horserace simulator took center stage. The festivities reached their crescendo with enthusiastic participants donning imaginative cowboy costumes, joining the Dance and Fitness Marathon, concluding the Nov. 14-16 spectacle.
Philracom chairman Reli de Leon, the visionary architect of the expo, conveyed, "The Philippine Horseracing and Breeding Expo's core mission is to bridge the industry with the general public and the passionate kareristas, rekindling the flame of local horseracing, momentarily subdued by the recent pandemic. Additionally, the expo aspires to establish horseracing as an indispensable component of the country's sports tourism endeavors."
The inaugural edition of this trailblazing expo premiered at the San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite, in October of the preceding year, attracting fervent racing aficionados. This year's resounding success serves as an encouraging stride toward revitalizing the local horseracing landscape.