28 Feb 2011
The
Auckland Racing Club (ARC) is on a $1m mission.
In a show of compassion, the
ARC has announced a “
Racing for Christchurch Appeal Fund” to help raise money for the people of a city left decimated by last Tuesday’s earthquake.
Of the altruistic initiative, ARC’s Chief Executive Chris Weaver explained, “No one in New Zealand has been left untouched by the earthquake, which of course, includes participants in the Racing Industry,“
“This fund, which I hope other racing clubs and industry bodies will join in on, is a way for our Industry to give back to a region that is steeped in racing heritage.”
The philanthropic goal is to raise $1million.
“I don’t know if $1 million is a realistic figure or not, but that’s what we are aiming for. The racing community demonstrated its compassion earlier this year with its support for the Pike River tragedy and I am positive, that with a collective effort we can raise a substantial figure for the people of Christchurch,” said Weaver.
To kick the two-phase
Racing for Christchurch Appeal Fund off, the ARC will firstly donate its share of on-course turnover for this
Saturday’s Group I $2.2 million Telecom New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.
An important second phase of the Club’s fundraising effort will take place with a dedicated
Gala Dinner on
Friday 15th April - the eve of the
ARC’s Gr.1 Land Pride Easter Handicap Raceday.
This
Gala Dinner will auction off horse racing memorabilia and other items including services to the country’s leading stallions with 100% of all proceeds raised that evening to be donated direct to the fund.
It is at this
Gala Dinner that the Club strongly welcomes outside support.
“We have been delighted with the level of support already received. As a matter of fact, just this morning a man rang to donate $10,000 and we have had many of the leading studs in New Zealand come on board,” said Weaver.
“We still have a way to go in terms of getting $1 million worth of auction material, so we are still actively looking for contributions here.
“We hope to be able to offer services to some of New Zealand and Australia’s signature sires on the night, but equally important will be the memorabilia that we hope people will donate to the cause.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to these two areas though. It would be wonderful to think that people might offer up their expertise - say a trainer offering his or her services for a year, that sort of thing."
Of support already extended to the cause, the ARC is very pleased to have received early pledges from the following five studs...
ARC’s Chairman and Westbury Stud Manager Russell Warwick has offered services to stallions Postponed & Captain Rio.
Life Member of the Club Sir Patrick Hogan has pledged services to Cambridge Stud's champion sires Zabeel and Keeper.
Rich Hill Stud principal John Thompson has confirmed a service to Any Suggestion and is contacting his Japanese partners on the availability of Pentire joining the fund.
Fairdale Stud has offered services to both Fully Fledged and Nom du Jeu.
Highview Stud has gifted services to Align, Sufficient and Danroad.
Final details pertaining to the
Gala Dinner will be released upon the completion of Auckland’s Cup Week (Mar 5 - 12) , but in the mean time contributions can be made by contacting
Chris Weaver or his
P.A. Katie Heenan on
+64 (0) 9 522 3819.
Article courtesy of NZTM