Tuesday, 12 September 2017: The Australian Turf Club has announced two new grants for organisations based around its racecourses as part of the Club’s Community Engagement program.

Under the grants, clients of one organisation will receive equine therapy through interaction with thoroughbreds.
Both organisations will also receive cash grants from the ATC.
The two recipients from more than 16 formal applications are:
• Civic’s Bexley House near Canterbury Park, a home for residents with intellectual disabilities, as well as those from a second facility at Liverpool near Warwick Farm;
• Origins, based near Warwick Farm, which supports people who have been removed or separated from families through forced adoption.
Prior to the racecourse visit, residents from Civic will attend three sessions at Darkes Forest Ranch in Sydney’s south to familiarise themselves with horses.
Interaction with thoroughbreds is known to help reduce levels of anxiety and increase social skills.
Origins supports those removed from their families, and provides emergency welfare such as electricity, gas and water bill relief, along with practical support with food and household items.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Darren Pearce said the ATC Community Engagement program received an almost 200 per cent increase in applications since it first launched last year.
“ATC is proud of the role it plays in all of the local communities around our racecourses and this program allows us to provide help to some of those in need,’’ Mr Pearce said.
“I am also very pleased that recipients will have the chance to visit and enjoy up close the thoroughbred horses at an ATC raceday.’’