Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians - a sad statistic which is only amplified by the fact that 1 in 3 workers in the thoroughbred industry are susceptible.
That is why the formation of 'Behind The Barriers' is such an important initiative to combat mental illness and the organisation has been quick out of the barriers, so to speak, in announcing a special 'strappers' prize to be awarded after each race during Moonee Valley's 17 night racing season.
Initially
judged by Behind The Barriers founder and former trainer, Jason Petch, the
strapper of the best presented horse will be handed $100 and a special
strappers' vest to acknowledge the 'win'.
Leading Victorian farm, Sun Stud, will sponsor the first five meetings, commencing with the Moir Stakes program at Moonee Valley this Friday night (28 September).
As a special fundraiser for such a worthy cause, Sun Stud will also donate a 2018 nomination to Champion Australian Sire, Bel Esprit (advertised fee: $11,000 inc. GST) which will auctioned online from 9am Friday via Inglis Digital – register now at inglisdigital.com – with the winning bid announced on Racing.com and on the Valley's big screen immediately after the Moir Stakes.
"For far too long, mental illness has plagued horse industry participants and, on behalf of Behind The Barriers, I would like to thank Sun Stud, Racing.com, Inglis Digital and Moonee Valley Racing Club for their wholehearted support," Jason Petch enthused.
