Rio gold medallist Hamish Bond will make an appearance at the Makfi Challenge Stakes Daffodil Race Day this month. He is pictured during a visit to Napier in 2014, with his 2012 Olympics rowing gold medal.
Rio gold medallist Hamish Bond will make an appearance at the Makfi Challenge Stakes Daffodil Race Day this month. He is pictured during a visit to Napier in 2014, with his 2012 Olympics rowing gold medal.
Olympic gold medallist Hamish Bond will be the guest of honour at the Makfi Challenge Stakes Daffodil Raceday at Hastings Racecourse on Saturday, August 27.
Mr Bond and rowing partner Eric Murray secured New Zealand's first gold medal at the Rio Games, smashing the rest of the field by 2.8seconds.
Hawke's Bay locals will get a chance to see his gold medal in the flesh, he'll sign autographs and pose for photographs before attending a high tea event for Cancer Society volunteers.
"I'm excited to be heading down to Hawke's Bay to help raise money for such an incredible cause. As someone who spends most of the day training in the sun, the danger of skin cancer is something that weighs heavily on my mind and the Cancer Society does an incredible job of spreading the sunsmart message."
Mr Bond will present a trophy to the winners of the Makfi Challenge Stakes and will be hosted by the team from Westbury Stud - home of the Group 1 Sponsor Makfi.
He will be joined on the day by fellow Olympian and Women's Black Stick Anita McLaren (nee Punt) and the pair will play off in a series of sporting events with Hawke's Bay students.
Hawke's Bay Racing CEO Andrew (Butch) Castles said it was a great thrill to have Mr Bond and Mrs McLaren at Daffodil Race Day just 48 hours after they touch down from Rio.
"The Makfi Challenge Stakes Daffodil Raceday is fast becoming an iconic event that the region can be proud of. It's a day to bring the whole family and enjoy some fantastic racing while raising money for a cause that touches us all," Mr Castles said.
