BOOK Empire Limited will sponsor thoroughbred racing for the sixth year in succession with a Seek Back-To-School Race Day programme at Caymanas Park on August 25.

Apart from cash sponsorship, the company will give away 2,000 exercise books and 1,000 pencils and sharpeners to patrons in attendance on race day.

Bruce Baylis, the company’s managing director, made the announcement at a press conference at the Trainers’ Room at Caymanas Park yesterday, where Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) racing secretary Denzil Miller Jnr outlined racing details.

In response to the sponsorship offered by Book Empire in trying times in the racing industry, CTL’s CEO Franz Jobson commended Baylis for his continued endeavour to support the industry.

“This sponsorship is very dear to us because this third generation manufacturer grew up in racing and, like his father and his father before him, has been very zealous about racing.

“We are very confident that the relationship between CTL and Book Empire Limited has been cemented when we joined with the rest of Jamaica in the Jamaica 50 Race Day earlier this month and on many other occasions Book Empire have generously supported CTL,” he added.

Ten races are carded and each will carry the name of a book product of Book Empire, with the $1-million Seek Exercise Book Trophy race as the principal feature.

It will be run over 1,300m and is open to Open Allowances horses, three-year-olds upward.

This is a high-profile race that has been won by some of the best runners at the Park, including the reigning Horse-Of-The-Year, Saint Cecelia.

The sixth staging will be no less competitive and will attract a number of the current crop of top performers. Among the exciting bunch are imported runners Da Boom, Raise A Ruckus, Harlan’s Dancer, Sir D, Reasonable Press, Hupomone, Rio Cobre, Lady Macbeth, Sir Von and Go Go Yvonne, along with local breds Commanding Chief, Jet Setter, Sweet Trial, Traditional Prince, Palace Gold, Right Marker, Von Almighty, Trend Setter and Mr Skill.