Pacing For Pink returns to QLD

The Pacing for Pink harness racing campaign makes its return to Queensland in 2023, after a successful debut in the state in 2022.

Throughout the month of May, male and female drivers in the Sunshine State are proudly wearing pink pants in the sulky to raise awareness and much-needed funds in the fight against breast cancer.

A contingent of 13 drivers in Queensland are donning the pink pants for the month, joining drivers from around Australia in supporting the McGrath Foundation.

The 2022 national campaign raised $140,500, more than double what was raised in 2021.

The final tally from 2022 is the cost of a full-time McGrath Breast Care Nurse for a year, including training and development.

The racing industry in Queensland contributed $6,000 to the cause, and Pacing for Pink co-ordinator Margaret Watson said she was hoping the state could deliver again in 2023.

“Last year was a fantastic effort by all involved, particularly considering the trauma the state was experiencing due to the impact of Mother Nature and floods on the industry and the general population,” Watson said.

“Cancer affects almost all families in our communities in some way and this injection of funds was much appreciated, particularly by the McGrath Foundation.

“The aim of Pacing for Pink in 2023 will again be to raise enough money to fund a full time McGrath Breast Care Nurse, and I’m hoping the Queensland racing industry can dig deep for this important cause.”

At present, the McGrath Foundation funds 185 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia, their aim being to meet their goal of 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses by 2025.

Since starting out in 2011 in country Victoria, the Pacing for Pink initiative has since expanded to include the whole of Victoria as well as Tasmania, Western and South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Throughout that time, over $320,000 has been raised.

Racing Queensland is proud to support the Pacing for Pink initiative, complementing the annual Team Teal campaign that runs in February to raise money for ovarian cancer research.

Click here for more information on Pacing for Pink.

Drivers and sponsors participating in the pink pants campaign:

• Artie’s  Demolitions Pty. Ltd. – Amanda Payne
• Artie’s  Demolitions Pty. Ltd. – Narissa McMullen
• Bloody Brilliant Beers – David McKenzie
• BetaVet AUS – Brittany Graham
• Uwin Cars/Southern Central Engineering – Adam Richardson
• Lend Pro – Alanah Richardson
• “Butler Racing” – Chloe Butler
• Somerset Farms – Rylee McMullen (Pony Trots)
• Turpin McMullen Racing – Chantal Turpin
• Turpin McMullen Racing – Pete McMullen
• Orion Park Racing – Nathan Dawson
• Jewell Racing – Gemma Hewitt
• Summit Bloodstock ABR – Ricky Thurlow

by Andrew Smith for Racing Queensland