Racehorse Sanctuary News

6th March 2009

Racehorse Sanctuary & Re-Homing Centre Charity Lunch & Auction Fontwell Park Racecourse 2009

Even though we are all in the grips of a global recession the current climate in no way dampened the enthusiasm and extreme generosity of the 150 guests that attended the third running of this now annual and well established event at Fontwell Park Racecourse in West Sussex.

Once again we were lucky enough to be blessed with good weather; lots of runners in the races and the chance to witness the wonderful Laugh Derg win his second “Totesport National Spirit Hurdle” in succession, a moment full of emotion and sheer admiration for all present.

After the champagne reception all took their seats for the three course silver service lunch and were treated Colin Brown’s very entertaining method of giving tips through the racecard for the afternoons racing, this proved to be fruitful with several winners being put forward by Desert Orchids ex-jockey and our auctioneer for the event which was to follow. During the auction in which some super items were donated including a day behind the scenes with Martin Clunes on the set of “Doc Martin”, a box at Ascot and an apartment in Bath with £200 spending money, tickets to Bath Racecourse and dinner for two in a first class restaurant in the city of Bath, to mention but a few.

The auction along with a raffle, a £10 draw, gate collections and a silent auction the day raised an incredible £22,000 for the charity which is up on last years total.

I would like to thank our charity lunch committee who worked so hard for several months building up to this event, the management and staff of Fontwell Park Racecourse who helped us so much and made us all feel very welcome, all those people who generously donated items toward the day and of course all the support group members and friends who helped on the day. Without everyone pulling together as they did the event could never have taken place.