Princess Charlene roots for the underdogs at the races
From as early as in her teenage years Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco has always been a profound supporter of the underdogs and the less privileged.
Even while training in Durban during her swimming career, she used to drive out to local township schools early in the morning to teach young black underprivileged children the art of swimming and about water safety, her father Mike Wittstock explains.
This is still relevant priority in her life even today as one of the main focus in her foundation (The Princess Charlene
Foundation)
In the previous year Bob Yearham, the COO of Peermont Gaming and Emperors Palace invited Princess Charlene to their annual Emperors Palace Charity Mile which drew a lot of international and local media attention.
When the Racing Association became aware of her invitation they decided to name the Starling Stakes The Princess Charlene Starling Stakes.
This race is run on the day of the Emperors Palace Charity Mile which is a day whereby R500 000 is distributed to 16
charities.
Keeping in the spirit of the day Her Serene Highness’s recommendation to give R100 000 to the Highveld Horse Care Unit.
After the great response to the day and the huge media interest she created her father, Mike Wittstock, came up with the idea to have a horse race sponsored by her foundation for R500 000, but the difference was that the runner would be selected by lucky draw.
It was agreed that they would do two races for the amounts of R250 000 each.
For a horse to be eligible for the draw, the owner would nominate their horse and pay a nomination fee of R500.
A declaration fee of a hundred rand would also have to be paid.
This nomination and declaration fee would be paid over to two Charities the Highveld Horse Care Unit and the National Horse Care Unit.
This year R60 000 will paid to each of these charities.
In her first race (HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Maiden Sprint) the Right
Royal Diva came in fi rst and in the second race (HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Maiden Mile) the horse Flight Warning
took fi rst honours and in the biggest race of the day the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile (Grade 2) the Royal Zulu Warrior went home
with the first prize.
Princess Charlene would have loved to be at the race this year, but due to her other commitments she was unable to make the trip.
According to her father the princess will make a visit to the country next year to further continue with her local charity work.
