Marc Ellis Has A Golden Moment At Ellerslie

Marc Ellis Has A Golden Moment At Ellerslie

Saturday 12 March
For Immediate Release

After two and a half months, the worlds longest ever horse race drew to a close this afternoon at Ellerslie racecourse.

Raising a total of $67,153, this race has seen 18 fibreglass horses, painted by well known New Zealanders, travel all over Auckland raising money for 18 charities.

Auctions for 17 of these horses went live on Trade Me three weeks ago and prices for them rose steadily today, before closing off in a bidding war shortly after 2.00pm.

At 3.15pm the 18th horse, painted by New Zealand’s famous larrikin lad Marc Ellis, went under the auctioneers gavel and brought the campaign to a close, raising $4,500 for CatWalk Spinal Injury Trust in a live oncourse auction.

Painted in striking gold and accessorised with a saddle donated by champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan, Marc’s horse brought the fourth highest auction price.

Iconic New Zealand Artist Billy Apple ($15,750), Saatchi and Saatchi Worldwide Design team ($6,100) and actress Amanda Billing ($5,000) received the three highest prices for their works of art.

Billy Apple also won his charity, New Zealand Native Forests Restoration Trust, a $9,000 hospitality and sponsorship package from Auckland Racing Club. Apple drew Jimmy Choux, winner of last Saturday’s Telecom New Zealand Derby in a sweepstake with the 17 other charities.

Auckland Racing Club CEO Chris Weaver was on hand to present the Trust with their prize and to join a large crowd in congratulating all of those involved in the Resene Fastest Art Exhibition Campaign.

He also presented Starship Children’s Hospital with a cheque for $5,000 for having the most popular horse on Facebook. Each horse has its own page and was jockeying for position in a competition to receive the most “Likes”. The Starship horse, painted lovingly by Actress Lucy Lawless, proved a favourite with fans, votes coming from as far away as Scotland.

On the track, Anabandana took out the prestigious Group I Auckland Diamond Stakes, the filly running home strongly to beat a talented field of two year olds.

The win also proved lucky for Alison Jillings who won a $12,550 diamond ring by Anna Webster. Jillings was one of 12 of the best dressed ladies oncourse, who were chosen from the crowd by roaming judges, to draw the number of a runner in the race.

With the sun streaming across the Ellerslie course, another Auckland Cup Week drew to a close with thousands of punters toasting the end to another successful week long carnival.

ENDS

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