It is D-Day of Flat Horse Racing at the Malta Racing Club on Monday 7th June, as the Club stages the 2010 Mediterranean Derby Meeting.

This is the meeting that all Flat Racing enthusiasts look forward to, as it is the dream of every Flat Race Horse owner to lift this beautiful trophy. The trophy was manufactured at the establishment of Messrs Gerrard and Co, in the Haymarket in 1857 as an Ascot prize for the winner of the 1858 Ascot Cup. It is believed that at the time the Trophy was worth 420 gold sovereigns. In 1889, the Malta Racing Club for the price of 100 gold sovereigns acquired it, at the time it was known as the United Services Challenge Cup. The first Final was held on Tuesday 9th April 1889.

Over the years numerous dignitaries, like H.R.H. Prince Louis of Battenburg, H.R.H. Prince Andrew of Greece, father of Prince Phillip, and various Governors of Malta, presented the Mediterranean Derby to the winners.

At the press conference the Malta Racing Club Chairman Dr. Matthew Brincat, said “Flat racing in Malta has been growing at a fast pace in the last five years, and it augurs well for this type of racing in Malta. Even though the racing track is not the ideal type as it was designed to cater for trotters.” He continued, “The Club is still exploring possibilities of further alterations in the coming years, which will surely help to grow this part of the sport forward”. Dr Brincat also mentioned that “recent wins outside our shores in various competitions confirms that the level of jockeys in Malta is satisfactory, but as a Club we feel that we need more jockeys in order for Flat racing to grow even more”

Mr Ivan Scicluna, Director Fairplay Bingo, said that “Fairplay Bingo is honoured to be able to sponsor such a prestigious trophy that is part of Malta’s horseracing history” he continued, “we are also aware that Flat racing in Malta is once again growing, and that the good number of horses imported this year augurs well for the future of Flat racing”. Both Dr. Brincat and Mr. Schembri wished to all participants the best of luck.

The race will start at 15:50, and will be contested between 8 horses; namely - Just the Best, Mean Mr Mustard, No Telling, Lucky Friendly, Lordswood, Maria La Perfida, Laparisienne and Daisy Girl. The day’s programme also includes a unique race reserved for young and upcoming drivers under the age of 18.

Start List:
1. Just the Best 65Kg
2. Mean Mr. Mustard 65Kg
3. No Telling 63.5Kg
4. Luckey Friendly 61Kg
5. Lordswood 62Kg
6. Maria La Perfida 57Kg
7. Laparisiene 56Kg
8. Daisy Girl 49Kg

Trophy Description
The designer, Edmund Cotterrill, introduced a passage in the history of Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen, encountering and slaying in the wilds of Switzerland an enormous bear on the spot on which he afterwards built the city of Berne, about the end of the twelfth century. The Duke has dismounted from his horse, which is held by an attendant, and trembles at its propinquity to the grisly monster, which rushes headlong to the attack. Two bloodhounds form the accessories of the composition – one of which the bear has killed, and the other somewhat daunted at the fate of his companion.