TORONTO, July 14 – Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), in partnership with LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, raised $6,200 through a unique fundraiser in conjunction with this year’s historic Queen’s Plate, Canada’s most famed horse race.
Each of the 13 starters in the 151st edition of the Plate wore customized saddlecloths that were autographed by the jockeys following the race and then auctioned on www.ebay.ca during the week of July 5, with all proceeds going to LongRun Retirement Society (longrunretirement.com).
The minimum bid for the saddlecloths was $250. All of the saddlecloths met the minimum bid and most encouraged more than minimum.
"With the Queen’s visit, the large crowd and the competitive field, this year’s Queen’s Plate proved to be particularly exciting, and the spirited bidding on the saddle cloths reflected that excitement,” said Vicki Pappas, Chairperson of LongRun. “Thanks to the generosity of fans and horsepeople from both Canada and the U.S. looking to own a piece of history, and the extraordinary efforts made by Woodbine Entertainment Group and its staff to ensure this auction’s success and to assist the horses who run for our pleasure."
Jane Holmes, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, WEG, was pleased with the initiative.
"WEG is once again extremely pleased with the great response in the saddlecloth auction, along with the monies and awareness that were raised for LongRun," said Holmes.
LongRun is one of the first adoption and placement programs for thoroughbred racehorses in Canada whose aim is to offer an alternative to owners and trainers – rather than have horses continue to race that are no longer able to compete.
LongRun tries to help by fostering, rehabilitating and finding permanent adoptive homes and alternative careers as pleasure horses or companion animals. They also aim to educate the Ontario thoroughbred racing community, as well as the public, about these alternatives.
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Photo courtesy of WEG/Michael Burns Photography.