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The Melbourne Racing Club and BMW are proud to announce they are reuniting for a multiyear partnership. The foundation of the partnership secures BMW with naming rights for the 2015 Caulfield Cup Carnival and its $3 million Group 1 flagship rac

Along with 2015 BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival designation rights, the partnership includes substantial on-course signage and branding presence, and also allows for on-course

promotional activity, brand integration into content and entertainment opportunities.

In the 30 years since the Caulfield Cup first included a partner brand, just two companies have sponsored the race.

BMW previously partnered with MRC for a number of years and are now returning for the 10th running of BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival.

MRC Chief Executive Officer, Brodie Arnhold, expressed his delight at the reunion with BMW.

“The Caulfield Cup Carnival is one of Australia’s greatest sporting events and the Cup itself one of our most illustrious, time-honoured races, constantly growing in international renown. It befits a partner of similar repute, and there are few, if any, more premium or appropriate than BMW,” Arnhold said.

“We’re thrilled at reuniting with BMW and look forward to working with their talented team to confirm the Caulfield Cup Carnival as an iconic event, and its racing product as world-class.”

The MRC also confirmed that the club would continue its long-term relationship with CUB, naming rights sponsor of the 2014 Caulfield Cup.

“Carlton and United Breweries is a highly valued and loyal partner of the MRC. We will continue to have a really strong relationship with the CUB team, who we are extremely

grateful to. Our solid association is set to continue long into the future, both in terms of pourage rights at our 16 racing and non-racing venues, and as a partner in racing and

entertainment” - Arnhold said.

The sponsorship announcement coincides with some minor alterations to the qualifying conditions of the Caulfield Cup.

The G1 Pries Grosser von Baden, run in early September in Germany, replaces the G2 Yorkshire Cup as a race granting its winner a guaranteed start in the Caulfield Cup,

as well as a rebate for accepting to run in the race.

The winner of the Ebor Handicap (UK) will now also pass the first ballot clause for the Cup, which previously it did not, and an additional clause, concerning prize money, has been included to prevent ballot order deadlocks.

Moreover, two of the Caulfield Cup Carnival’s Group 2 features will enjoy prize money increases in 2015: the Schillaci Stakes (1100m) and Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) will each be worth $400,000 – double their previous value.

The lucrative bonus attached to the $500,000 Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) has also enjoyed a makeover, with winners and placegetters from five Group 1s able to race for an additional $500,000.