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On Friday, 28^th of June at The Curragh Racecourse a selection of the under stARTers orders art collection went under the hammer to raise funds for charity. The unique public arts initiative was inspired by the new Curragh Racecourse. The complete collection consists of 21 life-sized horse sculptures, each painted by top artists. Each of these works of art are for sale, however a selection were sold at a live auction on Friday afternoon when the great and the good of the art and equine worlds descended to take part. To date, this unique fundraising project has raised a substantial amount with limited pieces still for sale online https://www.sensationalkids.ie/product-category/painted-horse-sculptures/ and all funds raised will be split equally between two charities, Irish Injured Jockeys and Sensational Kids.

Famous attendees included U2’s The Edge, Ruby Walsh, Pat Smullen and Tracy Piggott. The Edge has been very much involved in this project from the beginning having collaborated with artist Duda on one of the pieces titled ‘Sheba’ which sold for €15,500 to Martin Migoya.

The Edge said “I very much enjoyed the process of collaborating with Duda on this project in support of Irish Injured Jockeys and Sensational Kids. We will be sad to say goodbye to ‘Sheba’ today but I’m delighted to know that this unique cross between an Arabian horse and a zebra will be going to such a good home. Thank you to Martin Migoya and all those who have got behind under stARTers orders and the important work of these two organisations.”

Artist Duda added “I am really happy with how the day went, ‘Sheba’ is off to pastures anew in Argentina with her new owner but most of all I am so please for the two charities involved Irish Injured Jockey and Sensational Kids they are really great causes”.

Other top lots included Sally ‘Fire in her Belly’ by Liam O’Neill which sold for €20,000. Liam commented “I couldn’t be happier to have seen such interest in Sally here today but it was great to see it go to my good pal Justin Carthy.”

The Irish Derby Sponsors Dubai Duty Free generously purchased two lots at the auction, ‘Misneach’ by Sara Hodson for €13,500 and ‘Geronimo’ by Eamon Colman for €9,000. Amid an excited Oaks Restaurant an additional wildcard lot was added, a whitewashed horse sculpture for the winning bidder to design as they please, this lot was purchased by U2’s The Edge for €19,000.

Ruby Walsh, Chairman of Irish Injured Jockeys commented “Today has been a remarkable occasion for two most deserving Kildare based charities, Irish Injured Jockeys and Sensational Kids. Not only has it increased the total funds raised by the project but it has also thrown the project into the spotlight and we still have a number of these incredible works of art for sale online at https://www.sensationalkids.ie/product-category/painted-horse-sculptures/ for anyone at home or aboard who is interested in acquiring one.”

Karen Leigh, CEO of Sensational Kids said “We are thrilled with the event today, this will go a long way to help many children and jockeys. We have recently introduced Hippotherapy services and the results have been phenomenal. I guess having this event here at our home track The Curragh Racecourse, together with Irish Injured Jockeys and with the horse sculptures at the heart of the project, it has been a really good fit all round. We are most grateful to all those who have supported this initiative.”

The under stARTers orders sale is ongoing with a limited number of horses available, if you are interested or have a budget in mind you can email Michael Higgins – info@irishinjuredjockeys or karen@sensationalkids.ie