Harness racing’s national Pacing for Pink campaign has smashed expectations in 2025, raising an incredible $144,000 for the McGrath Foundation – a result that organiser Marg Watson describes as “quite amazing”.

Launched in 2011, Pacing for Pink has grown into a major nationwide initiative in the harness racing calendar, uniting clubs, trainers, drivers and supporters in the fight against breast cancer.

The 2025 campaign featured a record 210 sponsored drivers, 31 pony trots participants, seven clerks of the course, and five official ambassadors all wearing pink in support.

“It wasn’t me – it was literally everyone who got behind it,” Watson said.

“I thought we might at some stage be struggling to make $100,000 because we were down in a few little areas. Right across Australia and in the industry, it is tough, so what we have done in harness racing is quite amazing. I was quite excited when I saw the final total.”

The flagship event, Shepparton’s Pacing for Pink Day, again set the tone for the month-long campaign.

A new feature of this year’s campaign was the Pink Pants Driver Challenge – a virtual fundraising competition that allowed drivers to compete on a level playing field off the track. Every $5 donation equalled a “virtual win,” with donated prizes and bragging rights on the line.

“We wanted to do something different — something fun and accessible for everyone,” Watson explained.

“We got the idea from the cricket and people loved it. It was great to see names like Katie Wilson (SA) and Jordy Chibnall (Tas) come through to raise the most funds – it wasn’t about profile or wins on the track. It was about effort and community support.”

The challenge raised more than $18,000 alone, with strong backing from South Australia, including the SA Committee’s full-throttle support for Wilson.

“It was all money from people we wouldn’t have got contributions from otherwise,” Watson said.

“All of those drivers are already telling me they can’t wait for next year. Now that people understand the concept, hopefully it can grow into a big part of Pacing for Pink.”

The ACT was involved for its second year, and stepped up its involvement, sponsoring nine drivers, running raffles, and hosting sponsored races – a major contribution for one of the smallest harness jurisdictions in the country.

The success of pony trotters also added energy and ensured the next generation played a central role.

Watson is quick to emphasise that the campaign is driven by community, not administration.

“To me, the reward is seeing the support, and knowing that the funds go where they matter.
The McGrath Foundation funds breast care nurses and the money goes directly to ensuring that more women and families have access to that important support when they need it most.

“The grants from Government support administration for the McGrath Foundation, but we’re helping people in communities. Even Glenn (McGrath) doesn’t claim any expenses when he travels around to support the initiative, like he did for us a couple of years ago. That makes it a bit special.”

Since its inception, Pacing for Pink has now raised close to $700,000, building steadily from humble beginnings.

“In the early days, when the fundraiser started at Cobram, we raised $10,000, and we thought we had done wonders — and when we got to $20,000, wow!  But now, with the pink pants and the national involvement, it’s grown beyond what we ever thought possible,” Watson said.