TAB EVEREST CHAMPION CLASSIQUE LEGEND RUNS AGAIN FOR ATC FOUNDATION

October 8, 2021

The $15 million TAB Everest defending champion and ruling TAB favourite Classique Legend will again be running for the Australian Turf Club’s Foundation in the world’s richest race on turf at Royal Randwick on 16 October.

Classique Legend’s owner Mr Boniface Ho has agreed to donate five per cent of any prizemoney earned to the ATC Foundation – another potential $310,000 if the popular grey wins next week’s race.

Mr Ho’s agreement follows his generous pledge ahead of last year’s victory by Classique Legend of five per cent of prizemoney, which resulted in his first $310,000 donation to the ATC Foundation.

The Australian Turf Club sold its slot in the TAB Everest to Mr Ho last year in a three-year deal as the Les Bridge trained and Kerrin McEvoy ridden galloper looks to emulate Redzel as a dual winner.

Australian Turf Club Foundation Chair Trish Egan thanked Mr Ho for his generosity for a second consecutive year.

“Mr Ho is a huge supporter of Sydney racing and owns and races many horses all through the year at Australian Turf Club racecourses,’’ Ms Egan said.

“That support has extended even further over the past two years with his pledge to return a percentage of prizemoney which will flow to numerous charities via the ATC Foundation.

“We were extremely grateful and pleased to see some $310,000 from Mr Ho quickly distributed over the past 12 months and look forward to cheering Classique Legend again this year at Royal Randwick.’’

First prizemoney in the 12-horse field this year’s TAB Everest is $6.2 million, second $2.3 million and third $1.4 million.

Horses placed seventh through to 12^th earn $450,000 – meaning a minimum donation to the ATC Foundation of more than $20,000.

ATC Foundation makes grants to support charitable organisations that work to benefit the community in a wide range of sectors and endeavours, including the racing industry across NSW. In recognition of charities working in mental health during the current Sydney lockdown, the ATC Foundation will launch an Everest digital pin charity appeal with all proceeds donated directly to selected mental health charities.