January 23, 2020
Royal Randwick hosts a special raceday this Saturday as the racing industry comes together to raise funds for livestock and rural communities hit by recent bushfires across NSW.
Rural Fire Service volunteers will receive free entry and a series of auctions and fundraising activities will be held across Royal Randwick this Saturday as part of the Australian Turf Club and Racing NSW’s Racing for the Bushfire Appeal.
The Australian Turf Club Foundation and Racing NSW have each donated $10,000 to start Saturday’s appeal.
Auction items on Saturday include:
- The boots and breeches worn by jockey Hugh Bowman during Winx’s first Cox Plate victory, Doncaster Handicap and Furore’s win in the Hong Kong Derby
- An oil painting of Winx signed by Hugh Bowman and her trainer Chris Waller, donated by his wife Stephanie Waller
- Special Australia Day silks signed by several of Sydney’s leading jockeys
- A Sydney Thunder jersey signed by players.
Bids on each of these items can be made at www.theatc.com.au/auction
Cash donations for those who are not on course can also be made by clicking here.
The Australian Turf Club will also donate funds raised through Saturday’s raceday sponsors, with all races named in acknowledgment of their support.
The race name partners are Inglis, TAB, Sky Racing, PFD Food Services, The Coopers Hotel Newtown, City Tatts, Iron Jack, Mark Alati Bookmakers and Edney Ryan Group.
More than $100,000 has already been pledged by the Australian Turf Club’s racing partners.
Donations have also been received from around Australia and the world, including from Royal Ascot and a Sydney racing fan in the United States.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said the renowned generosity of the racing industry and its customers would be on display on Saturday at Royal Randwick.
“The bushfire crisis has demonstrated the extraordinarily brave and selfless work of so many volunteers and we pay tribute to them all this Saturday,’’ Mr Barkley said.
“We want to make sure all of the funds raised during the Racing for the Bushfire Appeal go directly to help communities and who have lost livestock and animals or are continuing to care for them in the wake of the bushfires.
“This will include direct provision of hay and feed for horses and livestock across NSW.
“Everyone who comes to Royal Randwick this Saturday can help this very important cause.’’
Saturday’s feature race is the Listed $150,000 Iron Jack Supports Bushfire Appeal Carrington Stakes, headed in TAB markets by Southern Lad ($2.70), trained by John O’Shea and ridden by Brenton Avdulla.
The nine race card starts at 1.15pm, with gates opening at 12.15pm for General Admission customers.
For all general, racing and ticketing information go to theRaces.com.au