News

On Saturday, 26 October 2024, Mittys joined the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival at The Valley as naming-rights sponsor of the Group 2 Mittys McEwen Stakes and supplier of custom race-day livery across the program.

The partnership brought together two important parts of the Mittys story: longstanding support for Australian racing and more than a century of experience producing custom gear for clubs, owners, trainers, jockeys, handlers and event partners.

From saddle cloths and strapper jackets to horse leads, presentation rugs, sashes and custom silks, every item helped create a coordinated and professional race-day experience at one of Australia’s best-known racing carnivals.

The 2024 Mittys McEwen Stakes at The Valley

Run over 1200 metres on Cox Plate Day, the Mittys McEwen Stakes brought a strong field of sprinters to The Valley. Baraqiel produced the defining performance, winning the Group 2 race by 2¾ lengths and further establishing himself as an emerging sprinting talent.

The winning presentation was a proud moment for the Mittys team. Roger Cameron presented the Mittys McEwen Stakes trophy to Baraqiel’s connections, completing a memorable day that extended well beyond the race sponsorship itself.

For a specialist racing manufacturer, seeing the Mittys name attached to a feature event—and seeing custom products in use throughout the race meeting—made the partnership especially meaningful.

More Than Sponsorship: Custom Livery Across Race Day

A major race meeting relies on many visual and practical elements working together. Race identification, trackside apparel, horse handling and winner presentations each require their own products, but the overall result is strongest when the artwork, colours and sponsor branding feel coordinated.

Mittys supplied race-day livery for the 2024 Cox Plate Carnival program, helping The Valley present a consistent look across the track, mounting yard and winner presentations.

Custom Saddle Cloths

Custom saddle cloths play an essential role in horse identification while also providing a highly visible place for numbers, colours and sponsor branding. Mittys produced saddle cloths for the event with the durability and clarity required in a professional racing environment.

Because saddle cloths appear throughout race-day coverage—from the mounting yard to the track and post-race photographs—consistent printing and easy-to-read details are important for both officials and spectators.

Strapper Jackets and Horse Leads

Custom strapper jackets helped give handlers and trackside teams a recognisable, coordinated appearance throughout the meeting. Designed for practical race-day movement, Mittys Strapper Jackets can incorporate event colours, logos, sponsor artwork and identifying details.

Mittys also supplied custom horse leads for handling and presentation requirements. When coordinated with rugs and sashes, a custom lead becomes part of the complete presentation rather than a separate accessory.

Winning Rugs and Presentation Sashes

Winner presentations are among the most photographed moments of a racing event. Mittys supplied custom satin presentation rugs and horse presentation sashes for the program, giving race names and sponsor branding a prominent place in the official presentation.

Coordinated colours, logos and decorative details help each presentation look considered in person and remain clearly connected to the race and its partners in media coverage shared after the event.

Custom Silks for Cox Plate Runners

Mittys also produced custom racing silks for Cox Plate runners, bringing the owners’ registered colours to life on one of the biggest stages in Australian racing. Each set required accurate colour reproduction, clear design details and a professional finish suited to elite competition.

For owners and racing teams preparing their own colours, Mittys offers custom silk jockey colours and caps made around the supplied design and racing requirements.

Why Coordinated Custom Racing Event Gear Matters

The 2024 Cox Plate Carnival partnership showed how custom racing products can support much more than their individual functions. When the complete range is planned together, it can help an event:

• Create a consistent identity: Shared colours and artwork connect race-day products across different areas of the venue.
• Strengthen sponsor visibility: Logos remain present throughout the race, presentation and official photography.
• Present teams professionally: Coordinated garments make handlers and event personnel easy to recognise.
• Improve winner presentations: Matching rugs, sashes and leads create a polished setting for the winning connections.
• Simplify production: Working with one experienced supplier helps maintain consistency across multiple products and deadlines.

Australian-Made Support for Racing Clubs and Carnivals

Mittys has been producing custom racing colours and event products in Australia since 1907. Our team works with racing clubs, event organisers, owners, trainers and sponsors to coordinate products around a shared brief, fixed event date and approved artwork.

Whether the requirement is a single feature-race presentation or a complete carnival program, early planning makes it easier to confirm products, quantities, sponsor logos, colours and delivery timing. Explore our Club & Event Gear or read our guide to planning a winning racing event with custom gear.

Mittys’ work with The Valley has continued beyond this 2024 partnership. In 2025, Mittys and sister company Evan Evans also created a 14-metre Australian flag for The Valley’s final Cox Plate before redevelopment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Mittys supply for the 2024 Cox Plate Carnival?

Mittys supplied custom saddle cloths, strapper jackets, horse leads, winning rugs, presentation sashes and racing silks. The range supported horse identification, trackside presentation, sponsor visibility and winner presentations across the event.

What was the Mittys McEwen Stakes?

The Mittys McEwen Stakes was a Group 2 sprint run over 1200 metres on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day at The Valley on 26 October 2024. Mittys was the naming-rights sponsor of the race.

Who won the 2024 Mittys McEwen Stakes?

Baraqiel won the 2024 Group 2 Mittys McEwen Stakes by 2¾ lengths. Roger Cameron presented the trophy to the winning connections on behalf of Mittys.

Can Mittys add club and sponsor branding to racing products?

Yes. Depending on the product and artwork supplied, Mittys can incorporate club colours, race names, sponsor logos, horse numbers and other identifying details into a coordinated custom design.

Can Mittys coordinate several products for one race meeting?

Yes. Mittys can assist racing clubs and event organisers with multi-product requirements, including trackside apparel, saddle cloths, horse leads and presentation products. Planning the range together helps maintain consistent artwork and colours.

How early should a club order custom event gear?

Standard production is approximately 10 business days after payment and approval of the required design details. Larger quantities, multiple products or complex sponsor artwork may require additional time, so contact Mittys early when working towards a fixed event date.

Learn more about The Valley and the Moonee Valley Racing Club.

Featured image: Baraqiel winning the 2024 Mittys McEwen Stakes. Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos.