The issue of finding suitable homes for Thoroughbreds at the end of their racing careers is coming increasingly under the spotlight. However, more and more the racing industry is stepping up to the plate and an organisation dedicated to doing just this is the Western Cape Equine Trust (WCET) which hosts its annual fundraising race day at Kenilworth this Saturday, 25 November.
The Western Cape Equine Trust is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) and has been raising funds and helping secure the future of horses retiring from the racetrack since 2005. The team is currently headed up by Ken Truter as the WCET Chairman, Newton Phillips as Vice Chairman and Tessa Gilbey as Secretary. Operating from their Philippi base at Cheval Vapeur, the WCET specialises in the retraining and rehoming of racehorses when they retire from racing and tracks all the horses homed through their programme.
This Saturday sees WCET’s fans, friends and benefactors converge at Kenilworth Racecourse. The day starts at noon and will be hosted at Kenilworth’s 4th floor Kenilworth room. Tickets (available through Web Tickets) can be booked at R375 each) and include a three course buffet meal with sparkling wine as well as wine for the table, a raffle, spot prizes, a charity auction and of course, a good day’s racing.
The race day has become a firm favourite on the calendar and although there is not a local feature on the day’s card, racegoers can look forward to enjoying the Summer Cup, from the comfort of Cape Town.
A host of supporters have come forward to help make the day a success with Cape Thoroughbred Sales, Drakenstein Stud, Betting World, Vaughan Marshall Racing, Mayfair Stallions, Klawervlei Stud, Snaith Racing and Ridgemont Racing sponsoring races and there have been very generous contributions of Charity Auction items including wine, an exclusive and exotic game experience at Arc-en-Ciel and what is sure to be the highlight, a trip to the 2018 Investec Epsom Derby including air fare, hospitality and 2 nights’ accommodation for two. There will also be raffle tickets on sale at R10 each with prizes ranging from jewellery, wine, beauty treatments, cable car tickets and more, with all proceeds going to this very worthy cause.
Even if you can’t make it on Saturday, you can still donate via the website, or just by becoming a WCET fan and advocate of responsible rehoming.
If you ever need a little lift in your day, click onto the Western Cape Equine Trust website or Facebook page to see the wonderful work they do, as well as all their success stories of happily homed horses.
Western Cape Equine Trust
