• More than 10,000 spectators at the major horse racing event at Markopoulo Park
  • For the first time in history, a horse owned by a syndicate wins the Greek Derby
  • Gastronomic surprises and many activities for children

The communication sponsor of the event was Athens Voice, whose outlets presented the 73rd OPAP Greek Derby and the other activities of the day.

Moreover, OPAP and Horse Races S.A. supported the actions of the Social Grocery of Markopoulo Municipality, which supports families in need, providing them with packaged food, clothing & shoes, toys etc.

Throughout the day at Markopoulo Park, the program included music, entertainment activities for the whole family, an open air entertainment park, an area with creative activities and ponies for children to ride, as well as unique gastronomic surprises. Vasilis Kallidis, Dionysis Alertas and Eleni Psychouli delivered interactive cooking classes, while Alexandros Tsiotinis prepared the menu for the restaurant on the 5th floor of Markopoulo Park.

1st Vice President of OPAP and Horse Races S.A., Spyros Fokas, noted: 'The Greek Derby has a great tradition and has helped some legendary stars make their names in the sport. The 73rd OPAP Greek Derby was not only worthy of the event's history, but it also demonstrated that Greek horse races have a bright future. Today, a great crowd attended the Derby at Markopoulo Park, which is established as an attractive entertainment destination, with fascinating horse races and entertaining activities for everyone. We dynamically continue our efforts to further develop Greek horseracing'.

OPAP Deputy CEO and 2nd Vice President of Horse Races S.A., Odysseas Christoforou, stressed: 'The races that were conducted in the context of the 73rd OPAP Greek Derby, were competitive, with significant participations, offering unique moments to horse racing enthusiasts and the big crowd at Markopoulo Park, this exceptional entertainment venue'.

The winner of the second most important race of the meeting, the Artemis Cup, was mare DANEDREAM, owned by QUEENSWAY S.A. Stables, with jockey Yannis Lazaridis and trainer Irene Keratsa leading the horse to victory.

The races that were conducted in the context of the 73rd OPAP Greek Derby were sponsored by major companies and brands, which enjoyed significant sponsoring benefits, both in terms of their promotion and hospitality at Markopoulo Park. Specifically, the day's horse races were sponsored by:

Lay's, the top brand of salty snacks in Greece, with a big variety of products, quality and a vast selection of flavors. W.S. KAROULIAS SA, one of the leading spirits companies in Greece, with a history of several decades, with its Carib beer brand. VIKOS S.A., one of the biggest companies in the industry of bottled water and beverages in Greece, with its brand VIKOS Cola. Volton, a private electricity power provider, which stands by consumers since 2017, covering the needs of households and businesses. Vermantia, a producer and manager of content for major lotteries, betting companies and games of chance providers.

The 73rd OPAP Greek Derby, the top racing event of the year, was concluded with great success on Sunday 20 October 2019, at Markopoulo Park. More than 10,000 spectators, horse racing enthusiasts, members of the business community and the media, athletes, celebrities and the entire horse racing community packed the stands to watch a fascinating meeting both in terms of its organization and as a sporting spectacle, which was rich in action and emotion.

The winner of the 73rd OPAP Greek Derby was REVAMP, a racing horse owned by a syndicate, which jockey Vangelis Kritikos and trainer Nikos Kalogeropoulos, led to victory, their first Derby win.

It is the first time that a racing horse owned by a syndicate wins the top Greek race, making its group of owners proud, as they basked in the joy of the race and the excitement it brought as their horse crossed the finish line first. Syndication is a very popular form of horse ownership abroad, which is increasingly gaining ground in Greece, since it offers horseracing fans the opportunity to hold a stake in a horse, while sharing the cost with others. 'Street 211 Horses' syndicate, whose horse REVAMP won the Derby, is made up of a group of friends who were urged to by racing horse owner Giorgos Maladakis to get involved in racing.

CEO and Horse Races S.A. President, Damian Cope, stated: 'Today has been an amazing day for Greek horseracing, with exciting races, entertainment for everyone and a great atmosphere in the stands and all across Markopoulo Park. This year's organization clearly demonstrates our efforts to establish the Greek Derby as a milestone in the Greek sporting calendar and a must-attend social event, offering unique entertaining experiences'.

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OPAP SA - Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics published this content on 22 October 2019 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 22 October 2019 13:49:04 UTC