Winx now has a statue at Rosehill Gardens, so why not a statue for the Australian Turf Club Foundation, a true success story of national racing in caring for industry needs and charities.
“We are proud of the $935,000 the ATC Foundation has raised in almost three years,” said Phil Morley, the Foundation’s Chairman, which was established in 2018.
“And with the thanks to the generosity of our customers and Members at Australian Turf Club thoroughbred meetings, it’s directed to charitable causes across New South Wales.”
“The ATC Foundation is sincerely thankful to Boniface Ho in donating $300,000, or 5%, of his Classique Legend’s winning prizemoney with victory in $15m The Everest last October.”
In distributing $14,000 to the Foodbank Food Relief in February and $30,000 to the Sony Foundation Children’s Camp in December, there is no doubting the Foundation’s strength.
“The Foundation is very proud to have been able to distribute funds within one month, even weeks of receiving the funds during the bushfires last year,” said ‘public officer’ Steve McMahon, head of ATC Corporate Affairs and Government Relations.
“Commencing in April 2019 the Foundation distributed $30,000 to Dubbo drought relief, $20,000 to the Walgett water relief and $10,000 to the Aussie Helpers drought relief.”
“We followed in October 2019 with $30,000 to the Tamworth Jockey Club, $20,000 each to National Jockeys Trust and The Shepherd Centre, $13,651 to Canterbury Little Athletics Centre, $10,000 each Rainbow Club Australia and Youth Insearch Australian, and $5,000 to The Jon Berne School.”
“Investments were strong for 2020, and in March 2020 with $75,000 granted to drought relief with a 1000 hay bales to the Port Macquarie mid-north coast, plus hay drops in the Cobargo districts.
“$25,000 went to Blaze Aid in the Port Macquarie district, Cobargo and Moruya, plus another $50,000 to Fawna for animal rescue, wildlife rehabilitation group and habitat restoration.”
“Yes, it really strikes you in seeing the appreciation of such people as Foster trainer Terry Evans, and even NSW Transport Minister and farmer Andrew Constance in delivering hay after the bushfires.”
“In having the ATC Chief Executive Officer Jamie Barkley on the three-member board, the ATC Foundation is going from strength to strength,” said Steve McMahon.
“We also approached Club Member’s for contributions with Membership Renewals, with the Golden Slipper, The Everest and Golden Eagle saddle cloth auctions and pin sales being ever popular.”
“We aim for two grant rounds per year following the Autumn and Spring fundraising and this year we will ask Members and Staff which causes they’d like us to support.”
“Applications are online for charities to apply for grants, and will reviewed against a criteria and shortlist, with the successful applications informed to accept through a signed grantee obligation.”
“The ATC Foundation has become an important element of who we are, and for what we stand,” Steve McMahon said, having been CEO of NSWTA when The Country Championships were established.
Steve was Chief Executive for the NSW Trainers Association when The Country Championships were established, which followed a trainers’ meeting in Dubbo.
“I recall the trainers were very passionate in being involved in The Championships, and we took those concerns to Racing NSW, where they listened, acted and it’s a great credit to them.”
“Of course, now there’s $1.3m The Kosciusko for country trained horses run alongside The Everest, and from 1 July the new Midway Race will be run on Saturday Sydney meetings, open to small and mid-sized city and provincial stables.”
“In 2021 there has been no shortage of important opportunities for the Foundation in supporting charitable organisations that work to benefit the industry and community.”
