Canterbury Jockey Club and LOVERACING.NZ will continue to show their support for New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health, Cure Kids, when staging the annual Red Nose Raceday this Thursday, 24th of July.

Riccarton Park will host the event for the third consecutive year, with funds raised supporting vital research, including the work of Christchurch-based Professor Andrew Day. Frances Soutter, Cure Kids’ chief executive, highlighted the importance of continuing to support this research, which is changing the lives of young Kiwis every day.

 

“Cure Kids has a clear mission to improve child health, and funds raised on Red Nose Day contribute to innovative research initiatives addressing various health conditions affecting children,” Soutter said.

 

“Among the significant research efforts being made possible through generous donations from New Zealanders are studies on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

 

“In the South Island, where the rates of IBD among children and adolescents are considerably higher than in the North Island, Cure Kids is supporting Christchurch based Professor Andrew Day and his team at the University of Otago in their pioneering research. Their work aims to gain a better understanding of the causes of IBD and develop effective management strategies for affected children.

 

“The donations raised will play a crucial role in funding ongoing research that has the potential to transform the lives of children, not just in New Zealand, but worldwide.”

 

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s Head of Marketing, Communications and Wagering Partnerships, Dan Smith, acknowledged the importance of the meeting on the yearly calendar, as Cure Kids’ biggest annual fundraiser.

 

“Red Nose Raceday has become a really important part of Cure Kids’ annual fundraising efforts, and we’re proud to be supporting it alongside Riccarton Park,” he said.

 

“Racing has a long-standing connection with community, and it’s fantastic to see the sport come together to help improve the lives of children across Aotearoa.”

 

The red-and-white spotted Cure Kids colours will be on display again, with LOVERACING.NZ dedicated to donating $1,000 for every winner donning them. Canterbury Jockey Club Chief Executive Tim Mills and Racing Manager Jim Langan have selected this year’s runners in the hopes of securing as many winners as possible, and maximising the funds raised for Cure Kids.

 

"We're thrilled to continue the wonderful relationship we have built with the truly awesome people associated with Cure Kids, an organisation which is undertaking research to look after the kids of today who may well be the future fans of our sport,” Mills said.

 

“You can't help but acknowledge Cure Kids as being a really important charity to stand behind, and we want to do as much as we can for them.”

 

The following horses will carry the colours in each race:

R1 #1 Villasanti
R2 #2 Shameful
R3 #2 Gemma Flitz
R4 #1 Enterprize
R5 #5 Friendofthedevil
R6 #3 Sway Up
R7 #2 Ardour
R8 #1 Charbano
R9 #7 Thedreamsnotover
R10 #3 Elegant Explosive

 

Racegoers will be treated to a fabulous afternoon of racing for a cause, and in Balmerino room, Cure Kids will host a charity lunch, which has featured the likes of rugby league legend Frank Endacott, former Crusader Adam Whitelock and ex-Black Cap Todd Astle in previous years.
Celebrities of the Canterbury and wider New Zealand community will come on board once again in support of Cure Kids, with Whitelock returning alongside ex-All Black Colin Slade, and Cure Kids’ South Island Engagement Lead Will Hall, of Shortland Street and Westside fame.

 

An incredible array of items are up for grabs in the live auction, with all proceeds going to Cure Kids, including:

To support this fantastic cause, attend the raceday, or make a difference with your own fundraiser or donation through rednoseday.co.nz.

 

Further information on Thursday’s event can be found at racing.riccartonpark.nz/rednoseday.