Local Champion Claims Emirates Singapore Derby
Top Spin, trained by Laurie Laxon and ridden by Noel Callow, landed the 13th Emirates Singapore Derby by three lengths at Kranji Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Top Spin, winner of the Singapore Derby Trial, raced in fourth in the early stages before Callow, the reigning champion jockey, got to work turning into the straight. Top Spin showed an awesome turn of foot to take the lead in the final furlong, crossing the line ahead of El Dorado and Stedman, to claim the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.
Through its sponsorship of the Derby, Dubai-based Emirates Airline successfully raised a substantial sum of S$ 179,000 for charity. This year, four voluntary welfare organisations under the umbrella of Community Chest of Singapore will benefit from the fundraising efforts. They are the Hospice Home Care Services, MINDS IDEA Employment Development Centre, the HELP Family Service Centre and Spastic Children's Association School.
Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia, said, "Emirates is deeply committed to sports sponsorship, both in the United Arab Emirates and around the world. We are proud to witness the growth and evolution of the Emirates Singapore Derby over the years into one of the most established events on Singapore’s racing calendar. We are even more delighted to be able to contribute to the welfare of the local community where our sports tradition has flourished through the platform of the Emirates Singapore Derby."
Photo Captions:
EK 1: High fashions on Emirates Singapore Derby Day. Ms Audrey Quek (fourth from left) takes home the coveted "Best Dressed to the Races" award. She is flanked by judges Catherine Ng, General Manager of Affluent magazine (third from left); Eunice Olsen, Nominated Member of Parliament (fifth from left); Christian Barker, Editor-in-Chief of The Rake magazine (fifth from right); Mr Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia (fourth from right) and Rosalie Erceg from the Victoria Racing Club.
EK 2: "Richly Blessed", a painting specially created by Singaporean artist Francis Kwok (fourth from right), was auctioned for a princely sum of S$9,999 by a bidder who chose to remain anonymous. Through its sponsorship of the Emirates Singapore Derby, Emirates Airline successfully raised a substantial sum of S$ 179,000 for charity.
EK 3: Noel Callow, jockey of the winning horse Top Spin, leaps for joy after winning the 13th Emirates Singapore Derby.
EK 4: From left: Mr Kuah Thiam Hock and Mr Tan Soo Kiang, Committee Members of the Singapore Turf Club; Mr Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia; H.E. Asim Mirza Alrahmah, Charge d' Affaires of the UAE Embassy; Mr Lim Siah Mong, owner of Top Spin; Mr Laurie Laxon, trainer of Top Spin and Mr Noel Callow, jockey of Top Spin.
