ATTRACTING a new group of younger members is Hawkesbury Race Club’s focus over the first three months of the new financial year.
In a determined bid to broaden its membership base, the club has launched a Young Members’ drive and is offering a special deal during July, August and September.
“Our brand new tier of membership has been designed exclusively for young people aged between 18 and 35 years old,” said Hawkesbury chief executive James Heddo.
“Of course we continue to value our senior members, but it is also important to try to attract younger people to racing.
“And what better way than introducing young membership by offering a special exclusive limited half-price promotion?
“Young members joining in July, August and September will pay only $44 for 12 months’ of member benefits, and we will waive the $44 joining fee.
“The official membership card includes all 25 race meetings held in the financial year, access to exclusive areas on designated racedays for young members, and they will enjoy quality racing action, hospitality, fashion and so much more.”
Complimentary entry and members’ tickets will be included in the Young Members’ welcome pack.
Young members joining need two HRC members as a proposer and seconder, but the club will source those if they don’t know anyone.
Hawkesbury hasn’t forgotten its members either, also offering a special deal over the next three months.
Any member who proposes a new member during that time will receive a complimentary meal and beverage in the Clarendon Brasserie, but this is only available to proposers, and not seconders.
. On the racing front, Hawkesbury will conclude its 2022-23 racing year on Sunday with the Godolphin Family Fun Day – and the club is banking on fine weather with good reason.
The global racing and breeding giant will again lend its support to the Family Fun Day, which has been bereft of luck in recent years, during the school holidays.
The meeting was affected in terms of COVID for two years in a row, and then the last three races had to be called off in 2021 after heavy rain hit the course.
Worse was to follow last year when wet weather again intervened, and the planned raceday never got off the ground.
“We really appreciate Godolphin staying with us, and are determined to make this year’s Family Fun Day a great event for all,” said HRC’s sales and marketing manager Eliza Babazogli.
“As the meeting falls in the middle of winter school holidays, we have made a strong push to local schools to make children aware of our promotion.
“It’s FREE entry for children under 18 years of age, and aside from the great action on the track, the aim of the day is to educate them on the career opportunities available in the racing industry.
“There will be face painting artists on course, a petting zoo and pony rides, and a Kids Fashions On The Field competition.”
Hawkesbury opens the new racing season with an eight-race card on Tuesday, August 9 and is looking forward to its first feature raceday nine days later when one of its oldest races, the Listed Rowley Mile, will carry a $200,000 purse and again will be sponsored by Pioneer Services.
Chris Waller supplied the quinella in last year’s Rowley Mile when Skyman (James McDonald) beat Oscar Zulu (Hugh Bowman). Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s $1.75 favorite Cross Talk was third.
It was the Sydney training supremo’s fifth success in the Hawkesbury feature, having previously won the race with Snow Alert (2010), McCreery (2016), Mister Sea Wolf (2018), and Savacool (2020).
*Words John Curtis, July 2, 2023*
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