White Turf St. Moritz 2019 – 112 years of International Horseraces on Snow in St. Moritz

 

In 2019, noble thoroughbreds from all parts of Europe and international jockeys, as well as a fantastic accompanying programme, once again enthrill guests from around the world on the frozen lake of St. Moritz.

Once again, on 3rd, 10th and 17th February 2019, around 30,000 spectators are expected on the frozen lake of St. Moritz. In all, the programme includes 20 flat races, trotting races and Skikjöring races, alternating in 30-minute intervals from 11.30 a.m. on the three race Sundays, where safety and quality are the organisers’ main priorities. New technical measures introduced last year, namely geo-radar and infrared thermal imager, have proved to be reliable and will again be used for the races at White Turf 2019.

15 entries for the 80th staging of the races with the highest prize money purse in Switzerland

With total prize money amounting to around 400,000 Swiss Francs, White Turf by far surpasses the usual prize money purses in Swiss equestrian sports. In 2019, the race endowed with 111’111 Swiss Francs, the highest purse in Switzerland, will be held for the 80th time. The LONGINES 80th Grand Prix of St. Moritz, staged as the European Championship on snow, can be looked forward to with great expectation.

However, an excellent sporting event is definitely guaranteed on 17th February 2019, when the winners from 2016 and 2018 will hopefully compete with other snow regulars against high-class newcomers for a prize money purse of 111,111 Swiss Francs (113,311.00 United States Dollar).

Moreover, the similarly highly endowed BMW Trotting Races will guarantee high levels of excitement alongwith the world exclusive CREDIT SUISSE Skikjöring races. The driver collecting most points in the Skikjöringdiscipline, will bear the title of King or Queen of the Engadine for the year to follow.

The novelty of 2019: pony races

This year, White Turf will not only be a spectacular event stage for professionally active horsemen, but also for up-and-coming young jockeys: on the first and second race Sundays, a pony gallop race will be held over 800m for the very first time on snow, in order to promote the next generation. It will therefore be a premiere event for gallop ponies with a shoulder height of up to 140 centimetres. The two races will be special highlights, not just for the spectators but in particular for the young riders aged eight to sixteen years. “The races are part of the official Swiss Pony Cup”, explains Jessica Kessler, Vice President of the Swiss Pony Racing Club, “they will be a big challenge – not just for the children but for all concerned and we are very much looking forward to it.”

Moreover, amateur jockeys from all over the world will compete against each other at White Turf in the flat race Fraumünster Insurance Experts FEGENTRI Prize. The Organisation FEGENTRI promotes equestrian racing sports as the International Federation of Amateur Gentlemen and Lady Riders and has numerous members on four continents.