Living Legends strives for a win / win outcome – and they need your help

Living Legends is calling on the public for what could be a win / win situation for the organization and its supporters.

Living Legends has partnered with three-time Group 1 winner Callsign Mav, trained by leading trainer Danny O’Brien, for the 2022 Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile. If all goes to plan, there will be a big cash prize for the organization and one lucky voter.

The All-Star Mile is the only horse race in Australia where the public chooses the field through online voting. The top ten horses from Australia and New Zealand are granted a start in the race. Adam Nelson and fellow co-owners have promised to donate 10% of Callsign Mav’s prize money to Living Legends if he is voted into the field.

In addition, everyone who votes in the All-Star Mile has a chance to win $250,000* as one of the All-Star Mile owner ambassadors.

Living Legends CEO and Veterinary Director, Dr Andrew Clarke, said this is an easy way for fans and supporters to give the organization a real financial boost.

“As a charitable organization, every dollar we receive makes such a difference. I encourage everyone who has visited Living Legends, seen us on social media, or met our Legends at the races, to get on board and vote as soon as they can. It could mean big things for us and for the voters.

“We are excited to get behind Callsign Mav – the 1600 metres of the All-Star Mile is a perfect distance for him. He’s a special horse – both a top-class performer on the track, and gentle giant off the track. “We’re grateful to Adam Nelson and the horse’s co-owners for this generous commitment and partnership. Now we need the public’s help to secure Callsign Mav a place in the great race,” Dr Clarke said.

To vote visit www.allstarmmile.com.au and click VOTE NOW. Polls close on Sunday, 13 February 2022.

“A vote for Callsign Mav means a chance for all of us to win. Jump online now,” Dr Clarke said.

Living Legends is the only public rest home for racehorses in Australia and was established to nurture the deep connection between the community and our racehorse champions and promote life after racing for all horses.

Living Legends provides the perfect setting for people of every age to mix and mingle, get up close and personal, and really come to know these former champions.

*T&Cs apply

Media enquiries: Dr Andrew Clarke 0407 551 289

Mitavite Visit

We have been operating for 14 years and Mitavite has been with us throughout the journey.

They are our original and longest standing sponsor, we are very grateful for their continued support.

It was wonderful to have them out to Living Legends recently, enjoy this video of their visit.

An open letter from Vince Pirrottina

Forward

Vince Pirrottina, Living Legends Accessibility Ambassador, has written the attached heart felt piece. Vince has been a regular visitor to Living Legends with his wife Rosanne since 2006. Rosanne worked out that she and Vince had been to Living Legends 29 times since 2006 missing out a few times because of the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia that forced Living Legends to close for several months, due to weather and due to Vince’s health at different times.

Vince and Rosanne have been towers of strength in assisting Living Legends with our aim of providing accessibility for all with mobility challenges. Put simply we want everyone to be able to meet and mingle with our horses and to enjoy to the fullest all that is on offer at Woodlands Historic Homestead and Park.

We owe Vince and Rosanne a very special thank you for guiding us on this path.

Dr Andrew Clarke
CEO – Living Legends

Woodlands Park, Homestead & Living Legends

My wife and I, discovered for ourselves the commitment, management and staff have in making Woodlands Park Historic Homestead and Living Legends, accessible to all. From our first visit, in 2006, introducing family, friends and sharing precious memories of Australia’s racing great, retired race horses. Might and Powder, Doriemus and Saintly, to name a few.

Sadly my great friend Bob (aka Might And Power), Doriemus and Saintly, have passed on. But fortunately I can sit by the Memorial Bridge and garden, overlooking the horses in their spacious paddocks. Meditating, while remember the good times, pleasure they have given me, horse loving and racing public.

Living Legends has always looked to the future and how it can best serve the Public. They provide concession rates for Pensioner and Senior card holders while Companion Card Holder are provided free access with those that they assist. Once again on the weekend of September 4th and 5th, 2021, Living Legends are proudly hosting the Accessibility Weekend.

Another innovation has been the introduction, of their golf buggy, generously donated by Godolphin, which enables the elderly and physically challenged, the ability to enjoy the grounds and visit the horses.

The Woodlands Historic Homestead, is a reminder of our pioneering heritage. With its memorabilia and antiques, evoking memories of a by-gone era. Also enjoyed their delicious homemade lunches, Devonshire teas and hot drinks. The flat public parking, has good access to a tree covered picnic area, garden and homestead, with benches, tables and accessible toilet via a sandy path and electric opening gate, approximately 50 meters away. The porch is accessed by a wooden ramp. One step into the house, with removable carbon fibre ramp available. Once inside, the wide doors and corridor, provide no obstacle.

Overlooking Tullamarine Airport the extensive sandy paths are reasonably smooth, while a bit slippery and challenging at times. Though giving my electric wheelchair little trouble. Gradients are from 1 in 6 to 1 in 20. So people in manual wheelchairs may need assistance. You need to cover around 750 meters, while venturing to the horse paddocks, with some seating to rest.

I have found the Historic Homestead, Living Legends and its grounds, offers something to interest most people. Even marveling at aircraft gliding in to land. So if you haven’t had the opportunity, to visit Living Legends. Take the time and relax for a couple of hours, or spend a day enjoying all on offer. As I have done.

Vince Pirrottina
Living Legends Accessibility Ambassador
June 22nd 2021

Alligator Blood – Golden Eagle Day 2020

Wishing Alligator Blood all the very best today for the Golden Eagle Day!

There is $7.5m in prize money to be won with $750,000 donated to the winning owners’ charities of choice. A BIG thank you again to Racing NSW for this opportunity along with Allan and co-owners Aunty Robyn and Uncle Jeff for nominating Living Legends as their charity.

We are all cheering you on Alligator Blood! As a not for profit the prospect of this sizeable donation is incredible.

Pasture Care from Neutrog

#TomMelbourne has been seeing a lot of action recently in the paddocks at Living Legends as pastures are aerated, fertilized with #RapidRaiser, conditioned with #GoGoJuice and oversown with a mixture of 1kg of pasture seed to 20kg sand using the fertilizer spreader. Aeration to prevent soil compaction and provide better penetration of water and fertilizer deeper into the soil. Great job by Rachel and volunteer Neville with big shout Neutrog for their advice and donation of #RapidRaiser and #GoGoJuice#lovethehorse with #bettersoil #betterpastures.

MRC Foundation Raffle, supporting Living Legends

Each September we always look forward to being part of the MRC Foundation Raceday at Caulfield. It’s an important fundraiser for us and a great chance to get out and meet the racing community, and while it’s not going ahead with crowds this year there’s another great opportunity for charity partners like us.

Rather than raising money through attendance and hospitality, the MRC Foundation has launched a raffle for charity, and proceeds from the raffle will support Living Legends and a number of other charities.

All donations made to MRC Foundation in the lead up to and on the race day will be donated to all participating charities. Virtual tickets to the race day can be purchased through the MRC Foundation Raffle for $10 per ticket, and purchasers can select Living Legends as the charity of choice at checkout.

Over $7,000 in prizes are up for grabs, including diamond earrings worth $2,500 from Catanach’s Jewellers, a ‘return to racing’ Black Caviar Dining package, Godolphin Jockey silks signed by James Cummings, a 2 x pack of V16 Meshach & Shadrach, Vittoria Coffee Machine Gift Pack and a Treasury Wines Pack.

Raffle tickets are available to purchase here.

Living Legends would like to the MRC Foundation for their continued support.

Living Legends celebrates a much-needed boost on the Horses’ Birthday

Living Legends has received a six-figure boost following its second annual Horses’ Birthday fundraiser, with matched donations passing the $100,000 mark.

The funding comes at a crucial time for the charitable organisation, which is feeling the financial impact of the double wave of COVID-19 restrictions.

CEO & Veterinary Director, Dr Andrew Clarke, said fundraising can be challenging even in good times, but the idea of asking the public for help this year was a daunting one.

“We were nervous about running a fundraiser in a pandemic, when we know it’s not just us struggling, it’s everyone. But in the end we had to try, because we know we need to do everything we can to ensure Living Legends stays strong beyond this current crisis,” Dr Clarke said.

In 2019, the Horses’ Birthday campaign raised over $91,000 and Living Legends set this year’s target at $80,000. 

“Once we hit our initial target the donations kept on coming, and we’re proud and humbled to have raised over $100,000. The support we’ve received in the last few days demonstrates just how treasured our Living Legends are, and what our work means to the community.” 

“A huge thank you to everyone who gave, no matter how small or large, everyone who tuned in and wished our boys a happy birthday live on Facebook, and everyone who simply shared the campaign if donating was not an option.”

“We’d also like to make special mention of our matching supporters – Sportsbet and 4CYTE – along with Racing.com and Moonee Valley Racing Club for the awareness raised through Saturday’s raceday and broadcast. It would not have happened without a huge team effort and this amazing result will help us weather the current storm and come out stronger,” Dr Clarke said.

View the campaign results here.