Greyhound Racing NSW’s (GRNSW) ongoing partnership with the Mark Hughes Foundation received a major boost last Friday night when the final race meeting was held at Wentworth Park.
As part of the final race card at the iconic city venue, GRNSW held memorabilia auctions on the night which raised more than $35,000 to go towards the worthy cause.
The Wentworth Park winning post was auctioned and was sold for $16,500. The winning bidder was leading trainer Andy Lord, who 12 months ago also secured the Dapto club’s winning post on their final night of racing.
A unique piece of sports memorabilia, the framed collar, lead and muzzle which was worn by Jungle Johnny when he shattered the Wentworth Park track record in July this year, clocking 28.86s, as he became the only greyhound to break 29s and ultimately the final ever track record holder at the venue. It was auctioned for $6.700 and snapped up by the team at Hello Sport.
The final piece offered was the Wentworth Park lure, which was successfully snared by Bathurst man Bernard Begg for $12,500.
“It was a decision made by us after a few beers but certainly one nobody regrets,” Bernard said. “I have been married for over 30 years, and when I met my future father-in-law for the first time – his name was John Cook and he’s now passed away - he had a greyhound racing at Wentworth Park. We went and it actually won.
“I had my whole family there last Friday, and when the lure was offered for auction there was a lot of emotion for us and we all looked at each other and my son Jack said let’s do it. Let’s get it for mum. So we did.”
The auction was just the first initiative GRNSW has planned to raise funds and awareness around the Mark Hughes Foundation in 2026 having commenced the partnership last year when $120,000 was raised.
The biggest driver of funds will again by the ‘Red & Blue All November Through’ campaign which saw more than $50,000 raised in the penultimate month of last year.
The ‘Red & Blue All November Through’ campaign saw the entire industry in NSW get involved. During November, each time a race on all NSW tracks was won by a dog wearing the red (number 1) or blue (number 4) rugs, GRNSW donated $161 dollars to the MHF. The red and blue represented the colours of the Newcastle Knights, while the 161 signified the number of NRL games Mark Hughes played during his career.
The campaign will run again from November 1.
GRNSW is again planning a fund-raising function at their Newcastle racetrack The Gardens on November 28. Special guest speakers including Newcastle Knights’ superstar Fletcher Sharpe will be attending the night, and major prizes and additional auction items will be available.
Full details will be advertised soon of thedogs.com.au.
“We all look forward to November and the way in which our sport can help not only raise funds but highlight the amazing job the Mark Hughes foundation does in its fight against brain cancer,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said.
“It was fantastic to be able to kick start the campaign last Friday night with the auction items and I sincerely thank those who purchased and donated to such a great cause.
“We were privileged to get involved with the Mark Hughes Foundation for the first time last year and our goal was to in some small way contribute financially, but also help draw more attention right across NSW to the Foundation’s battle against brain cancer. I think we achieved that in 2025 and we want to help increase awareness in 2026.
“There will be a number of initiatives held over the next month and our clubs and participants are also able to donate to the cause as they did last year.
“I would encourage everyone in our sport to make an effort to support the Mark Hughes Foundation and the work they do, and we’ll all cheer the red and blue dogs during November.”
