Harness Racing New Zealand’s Blue September fund-raiser has got off to a flying start.
The campaign officially started at Winton last Thursday and already there is more than $12,000 in the kitty for the New Zealand Prostate Foundation.
Money is raised every time one of the 11 ambassadors wins a race, through the drivers’ individual sponsors plus contributions from clubs and HRNZ ($100 each).
So far there have been 13 wins, with the total currently standing at $12,140.
Nathan Williamson kicked the 2025 campaign off on the right note with three wins at Winton with John Dunn following that up with four more at Addington on Friday. With an impressive list of sponsors every win Dunn has adds $1360 to the cause.
Blair Orange has also had four winners so far, with the other two successful drivers being his son Harrison and Matty Williamson.
This is the fifth year that HRNZ has been involved in Blue September, with last year’s campaign raising more than $40,000.
From September 18-21 will be the first Big Blue Drive. It’s a Donation Drive weekend aimed at raising funds for research. Everyone’s encouraged to wear blue, with spot prizes awarded to those wearing the most striking outfits at Addington and Alexandra Park as well as raffles and other activities throughout the weekend.
On Thursday September 18, Winton and a “Blokes Night” at Cambridge will kick things off before the campaign moves to Addington and Auckland (Friday). It will then wind up at Motukarara on Sunday, September 21. The meeting will also feature two male only races and the ever popular Blue Bolt where the ambassadors “sprint” 100 metres down the home straight.
More details on the Blue Big Drive, as well as other Blue September news, will be on the hrnz website and social media channels throughout the month.
Anyone keen to contribute to the campaign or sponsor an individual driver can contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz