A highly successful celebrity auction on gavelhouse.co.nz, organised by NZ Jockeys’ Association executive officer Andrew Lacy, has raised a total of $28,600 to boost the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust’s fundraising appeal.

This total includes $10,000 donated by the NZ Jockeys’ Association, which pledged to dollar match funds raised through the live auction.

The top selling lot in the live auction was an exclusive lunch for two with leading hoops Danielle Johnson and Samantha Collett at Osteria in Matamata, which had a winning bid of $3,200. Some of the other celebrities that stepped up for the cause included Opie Bosson, Brendon McCullum, the elusive Kevin Myers, and ‘magic man’ Chris Johnson.

In addition to the celebrity lunches and dinners, racing enthusiasts Boys Get Paid donated a framed pair of breeches signed by Hugh Bowman commemorating the champion mare Winx, which sold for $4,600.

The auction was generously supported by gavelhouse.com, which waived its commission fee, and the dining experiences were sponsored by Cambridge Stud, Grangewilliam Stud, Haunui Stud, Inglewood Stud and Waikato Stud.

The NZ Horse Ambulance Trust’s Givealittle fundraising appeal has been well supported by over 70 individual donors, including significant donations from Auckland Racing Club, the Cambridge Jockey Club and an anonymous donor.

Martin Burns, Chair of the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust is amazed by the support received to date. “It demonstrates the spirit within the racing community to get behind worthwhile causes. The Jockeys’ Association’s support has provided a tremendous boost to our current appeal, which was initiated with impetus provided by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud.”

Racing and equestrian sports are an important part of rural and urban communities in New Zealand, with many families and groups participating in or attending some form of equine-related activity. The purpose-built horse ambulances promote and support the welfare of horses competing in events that bring the community together.

The NZ Horse Ambulance Trust needs to raise the $150,000 needed for the ninth and tenth horse ambulances and towing vehicles to ‘complete the fleet’. The Trust will then be able to cover more horse events across New Zealand.

Prior to the fundraising appeal, the Trust had raised 80% of the funds needed for ‘number nine’. The unit will be manufactured by TL McLean in Mosgiel once the required funds are secured.

People are welcome to support the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust’s fundraising appeal on Givealittle here.