 |
From left to right: Longines Vice President and Head of International Marketing Juan-Carlos Capelli, OSAF President Marcel Zarour and OSAF Director and Valparaíso Sporting Club President Carlo Rossi Soffia, announce the partnership between Longines and OSAF during a press conference in Viña del Mar, Chile |
Swiss watch brand Longines has become an official partner for the Organización Latinoamericana de Fomento del Sangre Pura de Carrera (OSAF), a leading Latin American horse racing body.
As part of the agreement, Longines’ Conquest Classic is named as the official watch of the annual Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano horse race, which will be held on 15 March this year in Lima, Peru.
The chosen watch is a steel chronograph, 41mm diameter timepiece with a black dial and column-wheel self-winding movement. Similar to other models in the Conquest Classic collection, the watch’s movement is visible through a sapphire crystal case back.
OSAF President Marcel Zarour said: “In the name of OSAF, I am very proud to count [on] the support of Longines as OSAF’s first Official Partner, and their great contribution for the promotion of horse racing in Latin America.
“This agreement means another important achievement for OSAF, by promoting the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano which features our best Latin American thoroughbreds, and supports our spirit of tradition, excellence and constant improvement.”
 |
Capelli and Zarour shake hands to confirm the partnership between Longines and the OSAF at the press conference, which took place on the same day as the Chilean Derby |
Longines Vice President and Head of International Marketing Juan-Carlos Capelli said: “Longines is proud to be the official partner and the official watch of OSAF. Our brand and this prestigious institution share common values such as tradition, performance and elegance. We’ll work together for the good of equestrian sports in a part of the world known for its horse culture.”
Longines has a history of supporting equestrian sports that dates back to 1878 when it created a pocket chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Today, the Swiss watch brand remains involved in equestrian sports, including show jumping, flat racing and endurance competitions.
Longines is the partner of other equestrian events worldwide, including the Prix de Diane Longines, the Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The Swiss watch brand is also the official partner and official watch of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and gives its name to the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.
 |
Capelli, Zarour and Soffia (middle) are flanked by OSAF Director and the Jockey Club del Peru President Luis Razzetto Ríos (left) and OSAF Vice President and Jockey Club Brasileiro Vice President Sergio Barcellos (right) |
 |
Capelli and Soffia present Clásico Longines winner Felipe Henriquez with a Longines timepiece at a prize-giving ceremony |
