Trade Me's Teal Pants fund-raiser

A full set of New Zealand Trotting Annuals is up for sale on Trade Me, with all proceeds going to the Teal Pants campaign.

Southland identity Art Bloxham has donated the 24 books that date from a 1972 first edition to the final annual published in 1998. The annuals were not published between 1995 and 97.

“There are not many full sets around so I thought why not?” says Bloxham.

The History of the New Zealand Trotting Cup 1904-2003, signed by the author Bernie Wood, is also included.

Bloxham, “who’s coming up 73”, inherited the annuals from his late grandfather Len Tilson, of Stella Frost fame.

The exceptional mare won 23 from 77 starts including the 1970 Auckland Cup and the 1971 Inter Dominions. She also “won” and was then disqualified from the 1969 New Zealand Cup for causing interference.

Bloxham is well-known for his support of the Team Pants campaign. The regular driver of the crash vehicle at southern meetings, last year he donated his wages to it during the six weeks of the campaign (February – March).

“It was about $800 I think… and whatever the annuals can go for is great because it’s such a worthy cause.”

Currently in its fifth year in this country, Teal Pants is all about raising funds for ovarian cancer research. Money is raised every time a female driver wins a race with Harness Racing New Zealand, Woodlands Stud, clubs and individual sponsors all contributing. There were seven wins and $1600 raised in the first week.

The sale of the trotting annuals is on behalf of the Riverton Trotting Club that holds its Riverton Cup day at Ascot Park, Invercargill on Saturday. The auction will close at 5pm on race day.

Details of the auction can be found here