Thursday, 19 April 2012: Three racing industry families have benefitted from the fund raising night held in Sydney for trainer John O'Shea.
The target of the function held at Newmarket was to raise $175,000 toward legal costs to fill the insurance policy gap suffered by O'Shea. Over 150 people attended with a total of $290,000 raised.
The $115,000 in funds raised above the target figure will be split between two worthy causes:-
1. The family of the late trainer Pat Quinn. In 2009 Pat died in a tragic race day incident. Along with the loss of her husband his wife also lost her family income stream.
2. Queensland jockey Kristy Banks – She was injured in a racing fall in Queensland early this year. She is in a wheelchair and it appears she is unlikely to ever walk again.
"It is important for the racing industry at large to know that the outstanding support has benefited these most worthy causes." NSWTA CEO Steve McMahon said
"This was never an exercise in trying to solve all John's problems, we merely wanted to fill the insurance gap he fell through. We exceeded our goal and now John wants to give back."
"John was keen to ensure that any extra money raised went to worthy causes in the racing industry and the NSWTA is proud to support that."
