Hoppegarten Racecourse will display Longines’ colours. The Swiss watch brand becomes now the Official Partner, the Official Timekeeper and the Official Watch of the racecourse located in the German capital.

In addition, Longines will lend its name to the highlight of the mid-August Grand Prix Festival Meeting, the Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin on 14 August. Established in 1888, this prestigious Group 1 race over 2400 m is the first encounter of the top three-year-old stayers with their older peers five weeks after the German Derby. The Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin returned to its birth place Hoppegarten in 2011. The winner was no other than the subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream. In 2011 and 2015, the Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin was awarded the title of “Germany’s best race”.

Longines is delighted to be associated with Hoppegarten racecourse and the Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin and their rich history, and to share with them its core values of tradition, performance and elegance. As Official Timekeeper, Longines is also proud to present the Official Watch of the event, a model of The Longines Master collection.

“Longines is pleased to have established this new partnership with the Hoppegarten Racecourse”, explained Walter Von Känel, President of Longines. “We are looking forward to sharing our passion for horse racing with this first-class facility and to develop our links with Germany.”

“We are delighted to welcome Longines to Berlin, and to see their support for the Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin,” comments Hoppegarten Racecourse Chairman and owner Gerhard Schöningh. “The Longines association will enhance the experience of racing professionals and customers alike throughout the season, as well as supporting our most valuable international feature. The Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin continues to grow in stature and I am confident that the partnership with Longines will be of great benefit in promoting the appeal of Berlin and Hoppegarten Racecourse internationally.”

This new partnership between Longines and Hoppegarten Racecourse comes within the context of the long-term history of the Swiss watch brand and the horse world. Longines’ passion for equestrian sport dates back to 1878, when it produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Seen on the racetracks as early as 1881 and extremely popular among jockeys and horse lovers, this model enabled its user to time performances to the seconds. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrian sports includes not only flat racing but also show-jumping, eventing, endurance, driving and dressage.