The numbers determining the horse’s starting place for the final of the BOV Tazza l-Kbira were drawn in the presence of the finalist horse owners during a press conference organised by Malta Equidrome in collaboration with sponsors Bank of Valletta.
The Final of the BOV Tazza l-Kbira, Malta’s most prestigious honour in the local harness racing calendar, is being held during race meeting 19 for 2024 scheduled for Sunday 21st April 2024.
From the 12 finalists Crack Money will be attempting to win this honour for the second time having won it last year, whilst the other 11 are participating in the final for the first time.
The press conference was addressed by Charles Azzopardi, Head CSR Dept at Bank of Valletta, Malta Equidrome CEO Matthew Brincat and the vice Chairman of the Malta Racing Club Anthony Demanuele.
Dr Brincat thanked Bank of Valletta for once again extending its collaboration with the Tazza l-Kbira and said ‘Each owner and driver aspire to enter the roll of honour of this prestigious race and we are confident that the BOV Tazza l-Kbira final will provide a racing spectacle for all those present at the Malta Equidrome.’
‘This year’s final will see 9 French horses, 2 Italian and 1 German. I take this opportunity to wish a great race to all participants in a safe and sportsmanlike fashion and look forward to the event and to also crown the winner following this final.’
‘The final of this year’s Tazza l-Kbira falls exactly 50 years and 1 month to the day since Bank of Valletta first opened its doors in 1974. ‘Horse racing is followed in a genuine and passionate way, and as Malta’s Local Bank, supporting this prestigious race forms part of our commitment to be an active citizen of Malta’s community, said Charles Azzopardi. ‘We take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to all finalists and look forward to another sporting spectacle as one of the main supporters of sporting initiatives in Malta.’
The final of the BOV Tazza l-Kbira takes place during the race meeting scheduled for the 21st April 2024 and as usual, this will be a highly entertaining afternoon for all the family with an entertainment spectacle that will include a static car display by Classic Sports Cars Club Malta who will also participate in the owners and drivers presentation parade.
The competition is raced over the traditional 2640m distance and the horses will be trying to better this final’s best time of 1’13”5 registered by Charming Soldier in 2022 who will be heading this year’s horse parade. Whilst the local record over the distance is 1’13”0 attributed to Crack Money, last Sunday we saw the best ever time registered during this competition when Velvet Gio clocked 1’13”3 in the first semi final.
Besides lifting the coveted Tazza l-Kbira, the winner will also receive a custom made trophy commemorating the 90th anniversary of the BOV Tazza l-Kbira, the winner’s horse blanket and a cash prize of €5,000 as yet again this has been increased to be the highest prize money of the season. Trophies will also be awarded to those finishing from 2nd to 5th place.
Personalised tokens will also be given to all finalist owners and drivers whilst during the usual pre-race social gathering they will be handed personalised starting numbers and parade blankets to be utilised on the day and then kept as a souvenir.
These are the finalists with their starting numbers and their drivers:
