Fundraising for Asia will continue says Irish Red Cross Vice-Chairman

And he thanked those who have helped the Irish Red Cross raise Euro 15 million to date.

Among the donations to the fund is a very substantial contribution from John Magnier and Coolmore stud and a Limerick-based charity associated with a close friend of Coolmore Stud.

Three and a half million (USD) was donated to the worldwide Red Cross Asia Appeal by the combination of a donation from an auction of nomination (stud) fees of Coolmore stallions and a contribution of over a million USD from this Limerick-based charity associated with this private individual.

Two million dollars (Euro1.6 million) of the total USD 3.5m is being given to the Irish Red Cross, while the balance will be given mainly to the American Red Cross and money will also be given to the Australian Red Cross for their Asia Appeals.

The money was raised as a result of an international auction for nominations to the stallions standing at Coolmore Studs operations in the US, Ireland and Australia. People were invited to bid their nomination fees (stud fees) at the outset instead of paying the customary set fee upon delivery of a foal.

USD 2.2 million was raised by the bid, and a private donation from this friend of Coolmore brought the total amount up to USD 3.5 million (Euro 2.6million).

The auction drew widespread interest in the three countries involved as it is the first time such an event has been organised. In Ireland the auction came to a close with a rally of bids for the nomination to Sadlers Wells, Khalid Abdullahs Juddmonte Farms had the final say at Euro 300,000, while underbidders, Mr and Mrs Gary Middlebrook kindly donated Euro 50,000 to the fund.

Ends.