It has been described as a "godsend" in a time of distress.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
A great drought, the worst in living memory, is demolishing country NSW.
As a consequence, around 70 north-western trainers gathered in Tamworth on Thursday to receive an allocation of hay bales courtesy of the Australian Turf Club Foundation - with assistance from the NSW Trainer's Association.
1100 bales, worth $30,000, were passed onto local trainers.
Read also:
Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, welcomed the assistance.
"The impact of this drought has been unprecedented and its effect is spreading wide through regional communities," Anderson said.
"This is the kind of support that really matters among our trainers and owners."
The trainers came from across the North West - such as Gunnedah's Gavin Groth and Sally Torrens, Glen Innes' Paddy Cunningham, Quirindi's Geoff O'Brien and Walcha's George Woodward.
Then there were Tamworth trainers such as Mark Mason, Mel Dennett, Michelle Fleming, Jane Clement, Melanie O'Gorman, Luke and Cody Morgan and Sue Grills.
All the trainers received an allocation, three bales per horse, for nine or less in work; and two bales per horse, for 10 or more in work.
Grills is the Tamworth representative for trainers and she spelled it out clearly.
"This is a big help for country trainers," she told those gathered for the official part of the hay deliverance ceremony. "This drought has put a lot of country trainers at a crisis point."
Steve McMahon, of the ATCF, said it was his organisation's "small way of raising funds and awareness" for the plight country trainers are facing.
His boss, ATCF chairman Phil Morley, said the foundation was proud to "help racing and local communities across NSW".
NSW Trainers Association CEO, Glenn Burge, welcomed the support from the ATCF. He was "delighted the ATCF has supported our request to assist trainers and their owners in the worst-hit drought region".
Clegg has eight horses in work at his Kootingal stable and was entitled to 24 hay bales.
"It could last me around a month," he said. "It's a godsend for us. [It would] be great if they could do this every couple of months."
Tamworth Jockey Club general manager Mitchell Shaw said: "We are grateful for this support, as every day we see firsthand the impact the drought has on trainers, their viability, and the impact on their staff and families," he said.
