Northern Rivers horse racing clubs receive a funding boost

The Australian Turf Club Foundation has delivered goods and supplies to thoroughbred racing clubs across the Northern Rivers.

Ballina Jockey Club, Lismore Turf Club and Tweed River Jockey Club will be eligible for $50,000 split between clubs in NSW and will also receive on the ground assistance.

There will be time for more clean up and maintenance at Lismore with the next race meeting not scheduled until May 7.

The next local meeting will be at Casino on April 30 while Ballina has a break after a busy summer.

The Australian Turf Club is assessing what machinery it may be able to send to the Northern Rivers in coming months while a stack of hay bales have already arrived on trucks at Murwillumbah.

The hay bales and equipment will be divided between trainers and clubs in accordance and cooperation with Country Racing NSW.

The equipment includes chairs, TVs, feed pallets, saddle cloths, rain checks and training gear.

ATC Foundation Chair, Trish Egan said the Australian Turf Club as the State's principal racing Club was proud to lead efforts in helping northern NSW communities recover.

"To have these funds raised and the truckloads of goods on the road this week is a testament to the ATC Foundation's ability to help fellow racing communities quickly and in a practical way," Ms Egan said.

"While the $50,000 in help was from existing ATC Foundation funds, we are also very grateful to ATC Members and customers who have purchased official pins on track in recent weeks and Group 1 saddle cloth auctions, funds which will also go to those in need.

"The Australian Turf Club Foundation is delighted to send this assistance and we will continue to look at further ways we can help in future rounds of funding distribution.''

Australian Turf Club Chairman, Matthew McGrath said the club was keen to support the initiative: "Using the Club's resources, the Australian Turf Club along with its Members are delighted to support such a worthy cause for people across NSW affected by these 1-in-100-year floods," Mr McGrath said.

Country Racing NSW Chairman, Bob Pavitt said the quick response of the ATC Foundation would greatly assist trainers and racing communities look after horses and rebuild at this critical time.

"We are extremely grateful to the Australian Turf Club and the ATC Foundation for providing such practical help at a time when the floods and damage remain a day-to-day battle," Mr Pavitt said.

"To have these trucks and help arrive on the ground within weeks of the peaks of the floods and again as more have hit will lift the spirits of the Race Clubs and communities enormously."

Minister for Racing, Kevin Anderson praised the Australian Turf Club and ATC Foundation for generously supporting the thoroughbred Race Clubs in Northern NSW as they rebuild during a challenging time.

"I commend the ATC and ATC Foundation for their incredible generosity to the thoroughbred racing clubs that are doing it tough in Northern NSW right at the moment," Mr Anderson said.

"Racing brings enormous joy to thousands of people, so it's incredibly important we get the racing infrastructure impacted by these devastating floods back in working order as quickly as possible.

"The partnership and collaboration of these organisations shows how the racing industry rallies behind our communities in times of need, which makes me extremely proud."