A Horse of Hope

If ever there was a horse representing hope and humanity, it would be Lot 394 of the recent Yearling Sales in New Zealand.

Embodying bloodlines of Snitzel and the well-related Stravinsky mare Lady Firebird, the baldy-faced Cambridge Stud consignee entered Karaka’s auditorium plainly enough.Following a $60,000 bid from Ian MacDonald, aka Ramlegh Park Pastoral Co., the striking chestnut filly departed with one of the most generous gestures around in tow.

Upon returning to her box, MacDonald approached CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Trust’s founder Catriona Williams.

He would offer to gift 50% of all gross profits from the racing and breeding of the filly to CatWalk.

CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust is dedicated to raising funds to support the body of scientific opinion which says a cure for spinal cord injury will be found.

The charitable gesture would flaw Williams, formerly one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders.

“Every now and again CatWalk receives an offer or a gift that is so unexpected that we find it really hard to express exactly how we feel,” explained Williams.

“Ian, who is also confined to a wheelchair, was in New Zealand recently along with his son Lachlan and together they wanted to purchase a yearling specifically targeted towards the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million race, in February 2012.

“The plan being to not only make the race but to win it. Dreaming you might say, but then again all the greatest results begin with a dream!

“Very soon, she’ll have a page dedicated to her progress on the CatWalk website http://www.specialz.co.nz/email-stats/click2.asp?cid=14255682&eid=121141&URL=sggk%3A//ddd.xzgdzop.lit.ma/.”

Encouragingly, a heartening amount generosity has followed MacDonald’s random act of kindness.

As things stand the philanthropy that has followed here currently includes...

Majestic Horse Transport: providing ALL transport for her in New Zealand throughout her career.

Lisa Latta: 50% training fees donated

Dean Hawthorne: Livery for 1 month

Sam and Jamie Beatson: Breaking in (free of charge)

Little Avondale Stud: Any spelling livery free of charge

Trish Dunell: Photography (as she flashes past the winning post!)

Horsezone's Business Manager Haylie Martin will be joining the Catwalk Team New York Marathon Team to raise funds in early November. Stay tuned for Haylie's blog that will follow her training progress over the next nine months.

 

Catwalk's latest television ad in New Zealand: