Each year leading into the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, IRT has a race night at Addington and in recent times, we have used it to celebrate the many different heroes associated with the great sport of harness racing.
We’ve used it to acknowledge legends of our industry – both horse and human – and last year we gave thanks to the Unsung Heroes of the game, those who put in the hard yards behind the scenes such as the stable hands and the volunteers that ensure trial days and race days and nights proceed without a hitch.
This year, IRT is excited to be acknowledging the outstanding efforts of those in the Harness Racing media – the people penning the news stories and standing in front of the camera or, working behind it – to bring you the outstanding harness racing coverage that we experience week in and week out. The people who’s passion for the sport goes beyond their different media roles and to add something different to the mix, we have set them a challenge!
And, there is one hero of the equine kind that we want to pay a special tribute to, and that is Bettor’s Delight.
From August 2009 through to August 2024, Bettor’s Delight boarded a plane each and every season to head to Woodlands Stud where he has carved out his place in history becoming one of the most successful standardbred stallions of the modern era. Now permanently domiciled in New Zealand, we thought it was only fitting to honour him with a race and thank Woodlands Stud for their tremendous support of IRT.
This year, each of our media personalities and the team from Woodlands Stud will receive a $300 betting voucher (courtesy of IRT and Entain) to spend as they wish on their race, with all funds earned (and hopefully there is plenty!) going to the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust.
IRT New Zealand’s Richard Cole says, “as the world’s leading equine air freight company, IRT has pioneered global travel for horses with horse welfare always at the forefront of our minds. We are the Official Horse Welfare Partner of Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) and we wanted to do something a little bit different with our racenight leading into the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and, we thought that raising funds for the Horse Ambulance Trust was a great fit.
“Hopefully the media team can generate some fun and interest with their bets on Friday night and we can raise some much-needed funds to assist the Horse Ambulance Trust in continuing to provide the outstanding service they do across all equine sectors.”
Those attending the race meeting on Friday 24th October will be able to donate directly to the Horse Ambulance Trust with collection buckets in place at all entrances and for those that can’t attend who would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking here to go directly to the Horse Ambulance Trust Give a Little Donation page.
