A cheque for $33,000 will be presented to the Mark Hughes Foundation at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 9 December, as part of the Australian Turf Club’s Community Engagement program.
The donation made in partnership by ATC and Australian Bloodstock was raised from 5 per cent of net prizemoney earned by Brave Smash after the horse ran third in the world’s richest race on turf, the $10 million TAB Everest, during the Sydney Spring Carnival.
The presentation will be part of a special raceday function at which the Hughes family, supporters of the Mark Hughes Foundation, and Australian Bloodstock will be among special guests.
Family members of Channel Nine rugby league executive Matt Callander, who recently passed away from brain cancer, will also be in attendance.
In addition to this support, almost $45,000 was raised for ATC’s 2017 Charity Partner, SpinalCure Australia, from coin collections, a Golden Slipper Pin & Win promotion, auctions and in-kind support during a series of promotions and events over the past 12 months.
Australian Turf Club Chairman Laurie Macri said the Mark Hughes Foundation donation and SpinalCure Australia were major recipients under ATC’s Community Engagement Program.
“ATC places great importance on our role in local communities which is why the Club and its staff are very pleased to donate time and resources all through the year to help a variety of causes and charities, especially on our racedays,’’ Mr Macri said.
“One of the added thrills of Brave Smash’s great run in the TAB Everest was allowing us to make such a large donation to a cause that has touched racing, rugby league and the wider community in so many ways.
“We also greatly acknowledge and admire the work of SpinalCure Australia and we look forward to selecting another partner for 2018.’’
Australian Bloodstock Director Jamie Lovett said: “The TAB Everest was an amazing experience from start to finish and making this donation was the icing on the cake.’’
The Australian Turf Club will begin to consider submissions from mid-December for its official 2018 Charity Partner, to be announced after submissions close on 31 January, 2018.
