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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
DELTA Beverages have invested more than $1,5 million into the prestigious Castle Tankard in the past five years and the company said it was proud of its association with the iconic horse race. The annual Castle Tankard horse race field was unveiled in Harare yesterday.

“The association of the brand Castle and horse racing started in 1904 and since then we have never looked back on this property,’’ said Delta Beverages brand general manager Munyaradzi Nyandoro, who revealed his company was happy to be associated with Mashonaland Turf Club.

“We have, therefore, spent $1 500 000 in the past five years on the Castle Tankard programme alone at an average of $300 000 per year.

‘‘The sponsorship covers consumer promotions, media workshops to ensure basic standards are met in staging an event of this nature.

‘‘These developments have also been necessitated by our desire to align with one of our Sustainable Development Imperatives in Growing Livelihoods. Horse breeding is one important tool to grow livelihoods.
‘‘As Delta, we challenge you all to continue to aspire for bigger and better things.’’

The annual Castle Tankard horse field was officially launched with the Bridget Stidolph yard dominating with five runners in the field.

The yard provided five of the 10 runners to line up on May 5 at Borrowdale Racecourse in the $50 000 purse event.
Stidolph has five entries into the final field with defending champion Comanche Brave also in the line-up.

Comanche Brave will be supported by Mathematician who has crossed the floor after having been under Penny Fisher stable last year.

“This event has become a highly anticipated programme on our annual calendar as we unveil the final field of the Castle Tankard Race,’’ said Nyandoro.

“Congratulations are in order to MTC (Mashonaland Turf Club) for putting up an excellent event yet again this year and to the owners of horses that managed to register their horses in this year’s Castle Tankard race.

‘‘We are told of the good condition the horses are in and special mention goes to the local horse owners for fielding in more horses this year in the history of the Castle Tankard since our comeback.

‘‘It encourages us as Delta as we begin to reap the fruits of investing in horse racing in the country which is a thrust that we have of helping our communities grow.

“Special acknowledgement goes to the MTC chairman and his team currently running with the Castle Tankard event. The reports you share with us show that you have continued to maintain high standards of horse racing performance and it is highly commendable.’’

Nyandoro also hailed local horse trainers for their grand effort.
‘‘Some of our local horse owners are already enjoying the fruits of their efforts as evidenced by the number of local horses participating in this year’s race,’’ he said.

‘‘I urge you today to make sure that this sponsorship helps you to realise your potential. Feel free to uncover and rediscover your aspirations. Mix and mingle and learn from your peers and leave this place well-nourished.

“This programme sits well in our Corporate Social Investment mission to develop our local communities that we operate in for the long-term and we anticipate that positive life-changing decisions will be influenced by this occasion.’’

Final field
Ashton Park, Master Switch (both Penny Fisher), Kilrain (Mike de Kork), Roman Discent, Level Point, Simona, Mathematician, Comanche Brave (all Bridget Stidolph), Phantom Major (Kirk Swanson).