The just completed Teal Pants campaign can now claim a new first.
In what’s been the most successful campaign wins-wise yet, Team Teal drivers took out 75 races from February 1 – March 15.
It eclipsed the previous best of 73 in 2020 – with the final tally for 2023 being $35,000.
The annual fund-raiser for ovarian cancer research has been a cause that Harness Racing New Zealand’s been involved in for six years now. Every time a female driver, wearing her teal pants, wins a race a total of $100 comes from HRNZ and all the clubs, and there are individual sponsors and donors as well.
Sarah O’Reilly was the most successful driver, with 15 wins over the six weeks but first year Teal Pants Ambassador Gemma Thornley raised the most individually. Thanks to her supporters she raised $3240 from her six wins.
Many other parties helped contribute to the success of the campaign. Southern Harness Clubs were a huge supporter raising over $3000 in donations and activities while southern regional identity Art Bloxham donated a number of specially made teal-themed scarves and snoods which were auctioned off. They made $1720.
HRNZ’s first ever Teal Pants quiz night at Addington Raceway last week was a big success, with a lot of fun had and $1430 raised, and Mitre 10 Westport also donated $1000.
The number of people getting in behind the cause didn’t end there and Team Teal would like to send out a massive thanks to everyone who got involved.
