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Caulfield racecourse came alive on September 19 with community spirit for the Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Race Day which marked the official launch of the MRC Foundation.

Supporting 16 worthy charities, the Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Race Day was attended by over 6000 people and raised in excess of $200,000 for local charities and community groups.

Ozharvest were the charity winners on the day, with Terry O’Sullivan trained Magnapal, ridden by Luke Currie, taking out the Group 3 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes) as their chosen horse. Magnapal has now earned a place in the BMW Caulfield Cup as a result of this win.

In a mirror image of last year’s race, Caulfield RSL and Pancare each ran a place to claim a share in the $30,000 charity prize pool with their horses United States and Genuine Lad respectively taking 2nd and 3rd.

Nearly a quarter of a million dollars was raised for partnering beneficiaries from general admission ticket sales and corporate hospitality packages.

MRC Chief Executive Officer Brodie Arnhold said the clubs expectations were well and truly exceeded with the day’s results.

“The Bendigo Bank East Malvern Charity Race Day heralded the official launch of the new MRC Foundation, our co-ordinated approach to charitable activity, and to see such a great level of support and generosity in raising so much money for the 16 participating charities certainly justifies our belief in the Foundation.

“The ongoing support from our naming partner Bendigo Bank East Malvern has once again ensured the success of the event, and we are also extremely appreciative of the collaboration and support from the Victorian Government in establishing the MRC Foundation - we thank them both for their involvement,” he said.

The day’s notable attendees were the Honorable Martin Pakula, Minister for Gaming, charity ambassadors Olympia Valance for Camp Quality, ex-AFL star Kevin Sheedy for Caulfield RSL, Gold Medallist Joann Formosa for RDA, in addition to many other government representatives and racing industry luminaries.

Supporting 16 worthy charities, the Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Race Day was attended by over 6000 people and raised in excess of $200,000 for local charities and community groups.

Ozharvest were the charity winners on the day, with Terry O’Sullivan trained Magnapal, ridden by Luke Currie, taking out the Group 3 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes) as their chosen horse. Magnapal has now earned a place in the BMW Caulfield Cup as a result of this win.

In a mirror image of last year’s race, Caulfield RSL and Pancare each ran a place to claim a share in the $30,000 charity prize pool with their horses United States and Genuine Lad respectively taking 2nd and 3rd.

Nearly a quarter of a million dollars was raised for partnering beneficiaries from general admission ticket sales and corporate hospitality packages.

MRC Chief Executive Officer Brodie Arnhold said the clubs expectations were well and truly exceeded with the day’s results.

“The Bendigo Bank East Malvern Charity Race Day heralded the official launch of the new MRC Foundation, our co-ordinated approach to charitable activity, and to see such a great level of support and generosity in raising so much money for the 16 participating charities certainly justifies our belief in the Foundation.

“The ongoing support from our naming partner Bendigo Bank East Malvern has once again ensured the success of the event, and we are also extremely appreciative of the collaboration and support from the Victorian Government in establishing the MRC Foundation - we thank them both for their involvement,” he said.

The day’s notable attendees were the Honorable Martin Pakula, Minister for Gaming, charity ambassadors Olympia Valance for Camp Quality, ex-AFL star Kevin Sheedy for Caulfield RSL, Gold Medallist Joann Formosa for RDA, in addition to many other government representatives and racing industry luminaries.