ALL STAR OWNERS TO SUPPORT OTIS FOUNDATION
Connections of All Star Mile nominee, the Danny O’Brien-trained Sovereign Award have announced they will donate a portion of their mare’s prizemoney to the Otis Foundation if she gains a start in the feature event.
Managing owner and breeder of the five-year-old mare, Deanne Sealey said the donation would be a minimum of $10,000 and as much as 10% of prizemoney earned (whichever is greater), if the daughter of Shamus Award is voted into the race.
The All Star Mile, to be held at Moonee Valley on Saturday, March 13, is the world’s richest 1600m event with $5 Million up for grabs for a field of horses voted for by the public. The Top 10 voted horses gain direct entry into the field.
“We would love for our mare to make the field and to encourage people to vote for her we thought we would pick out a charity and donate to a great cause such as the Otis Foundation. It would be terrific if we were able to donate a large cheque that would go towards assisting so many people,” Deanne said.
The Otis Foundation provides retreat accommodation at no cost to anyone dealing with the challenges of breast cancer and currently provide properties in every state in Australia.
Otis Foundation CEO Claire Culley was delighted Sovereign Award’s owners had made the kind gesture.
“We are hoping everyone rallies behind Sovereign Award and votes her into the race as this donation would help us manage our ever growing waiting list and allow Otis to continue to work towards providing 20% more gifted retreats to those facing breast cancer each year for the next three years,” Claire said.
Sovereign Award’s Melbourne Cup winning trainer is adamant his mare could give the race a shake if she was to make the final field.
“This year the All Star Mile is going to be run over her favourite track and distance as she has won four times over 1600m at the Valley. Her bold, front-running style of racing is great to watch and she is in great form having won her past three starts during the Spring including two at Group 3 level,” O’Brien said.
“It would be great to have her running for the Otis Foundation, which is a great charity that provides opportunities for families and friends to come together at a really tough time. I encourage everyone who hasn’t voted to vote for Sovereign Award and let her deeds in this race raise money for such a tremendous cause.”
Vote for Sovereign Award in the All Star Mile by clicking the link and following the prompts: Sovereign Award - All Star Mile Profile
For more information on the Otis Foundation, or to make a donation, click here Otis Foundation Website
All Star Mile Voting opened last Friday and will close at 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, 14 February 2021. The top 10 voted horses will be announced on or before Friday, 19 February, so keep an eye out to see if Sovereign Award made the final field!