Turangga Farm boss Stuart Ramsey decided at the beginning of Chain Of Lightning’s campaign that the Golden Eagle was where he wanted her to be next week – the $10 million prize pool was the main attraction, but the charity aspect made him just a happy.
Chain of Lightning will start one of the favourites for the second biggest prize in Australian racing because of her six wins from seven starts and if she wins again, $525,000 will go to a charity as part of the 10 per cent component of the prizemoney.
Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller with the kids from Camp Quality in front of the winning post at Rosehill.
“Getting there was the easy part – once we knew she was in the race, we sat down to find the right charity,” Ramsey said. “It is a lot of money and we want to go to the right place.
“We wanted it to go to a kids’ charity and there are a number of names that came up. It’s a tough choice because you don’t want to let someone down.
“I said to Moods [trainer Peter Moody] that we need to get this right, it might be the most important decision of the week.”
The owners of the Golden Eagle runners will be given a list of more than 25 charities, with each of the 18 horses representing a different charity.
“You look at the list and think they are all great causes here,” Ramsey said.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said, in his opinion, it was the best thing about the riches available in the Golden Eagle.
“It is something we are very proud of that we can support charities with $1 million from the Golden Eagle prizemoney,” he said. “It is starting to build continuing associations with some of our jockeys and trainers with the charities because of their involvement with them.”
Hugh Bowman won last year’s Golden Eagle on I’m Thunderstruck, who’s owners choose Camp Quality as their charity, and he continued his attachment with the charity for children with cancer earlier in the month.
“I have kids of my own and know how you feel when they are sick,” Bowman said after walking around Rosehill with youngsters and their families. “It is awful. I couldn’t imagine what it feels to be in their position.
“So it was great that the horse I rode – I’m Thunderstruck – in the Golden Eagle last year could help Camp Quality.
“When you get here on ground level, and meet the kids and see what has been done for them, it makes it very real.
“It was a great day and I will remember one young lady who said she knew of Hugh Bowman, who rode a horse called Winx, and then after about 15 minutes she realised I was Hugh Bowman and her smile was priceless.”
Camp Quality Head of Corporate Partnerships Grainne Tierney said the day with Bowman and champion trainer Chris Waller had lifted the spirits and given some sick children stories to tell.
“It’s a unique opportunity to bring together our families and kids facing cancer, a chance for them to build resistance and create some happy memories together,” Tierney said.
