Victorian thoroughbred racing industry announces Good Friday Appeal donation

Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced a donation of $140,000 in support of the 2025 Good Friday Appeal as part of an action-packed day of racing which is set to provide additional funds for the vital cause.

RV has partnered with Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and Southside Racing in funding this year’s donation provided to the Royal Children’s Hospital on this afternoon’s Seven Network Good Friday Appeal broadcast.

This year’s donation sees RV and CRV’s total contribution to the Good Friday Appeal eclipse $600,000 over the past seven years.

Racing’s support of the cause dates back to the inaugural Appeal in 1931 when a crowd of 20,000 witnessed a sports carnival that opened with a football match involving Caulfield and Flemington jockeys.

In 2025, the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry will collectively contribute more than $250,000 to the Appeal with RV, CRV and Southside’s donation joined by a sum of $112,648 courtesy of fundraising efforts by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) at its 2024-25 race meetings.

Fundraising will continue throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria today thanks to a bumper double-header raceday where $5 from every admission ticket will be donated to the Appeal.

The Echuca Racing Club is hosting an eight-race program this afternoon headlined by country Victoria’s richest sprint race, the $500,000 The Country Discovery (1000m).

Southside takes the reins from 4.45pm with 16 races across their dual-code night thoroughbred and harness meeting at Cranbourne headlined by the $100,000 Apache Cat Classic (1400m), just days after the retired champion racehorse visited kids at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Additional fundraising initiatives, including auctions and raffles, are planned for both Echuca and Cranbourne today, alongside an array of family entertainment and exciting racing.

RV Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said, “We’re very proud to continue the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry’s long history of supporting the Good Friday Appeal with a sizeable donation of $140,000 made today along with Country Racing Victoria and Southside Racing.

“This cause is close to the heart of all Victorians, and it is important that we recognise and support the incredible work the Royal Children’s Hospital does for our state and community.

“We value the opportunity to conduct two race meetings on Good Friday that provide events for the community to gather socially, whilst raising funds for the Appeal."