Longines To Serve As The Official Timekeeper And Watch Of The Preakness Stakes, Presenting Partner of the International Pavilion, Dixie Stakes

BALTIMORE, 04-26-13---The Maryland Jockey Club today announced a long-term partnership with Longines, the Swiss watchmaker. The partnership includes naming Longines as the Official Timekeeper and Watch of the Preakness Stakes (G1) as well as the title partner in the Longines Dixie Stakes (G2) and the presenting partner of the International Pavilion.

The partnership begins with this year’s Preakness, which has played host to 11 Triple Crown winners and other Hall of Fame horses such as Man o’ War, Native Dancer and Spectacular Bid. The 138^th running will take place on Saturday, May 18 at Pimlico Race Course. 

“By becoming the Official Timekeeper and Watch of the Preakness Stakes and the title partner of the Dixie Stakes, Longines is proud to be part of a great event,” Longines president Walter von Känel said. “This new partnership reinforces our commitment to equestrian sports in the US and reflects our devotion to and fashion for these exciting sports, which match perfectly with our core values of elegance, tradition and performance. We are also looking forward to be the presenting partner of the International Pavilion with Japan as the host nation.”

Longines will have a prominent presence throughout Pimlico on Preakness day serving as the official timepiece at the finish line and the presentation of elegant watches to the owner, trainer and jockey of the winning horse. To highlight its partnership, the watchmaker will also have a digital “Longines Preakness Stakes Countdown Clock” on the official Preakness Stakes website, www.preakness.com. 

“The Maryland Jockey Club is proud to welcome Longines into the family of Preakness partners,” said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “We look forward to establishing and fostering this relationship for years to come, showcasing the Longines brand center stage at the middle jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is a tough, grueling series with the Preakness holding the key to the process with 13 of the last 16 winners named champion 3-year-old.”

Longines will also serve as the presenting partner of the International Pavilion, the premier hospitality destination on Preakness day. Positioned at the finish line, the International Pavilion brings the world to the Preakness by selecting a different country each year to serve as the host nation with its respective embassy and Ambassador serving as Honorary Host. The embassy of Japan and Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae will serve as the 2013 host nation.

About Longines

Longines has been based at Saint Imier, Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.

About Pimlico Race Course

Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.