'You don't ask you don't get' - big studs help racing fan raise money for kids

Christmas is traditionally a time for giving and one generous hearted racing fan has more than played her part with an auction that has included merchandise from some of the biggest operations in the racing and bloodstock industries.

CJ Cooper's 31-lot auction has raised £4,000 and among the prizes being won are rare items including a Frankel bundle donated by Juddmonte, stallion caps from Darley and Shadwell, a Cheveley Park Stud's Ulysses bundle and signed photos from the connections of superstars Baaeed, Stradivarius and Alpinista.

A committed Jim Crowley and Shadwell fan, Cooper explained how she got into the sport, saying: "I got into it through living near Kempton Park and going there when I was younger and just enjoying it, before branching out to more tracks as I got more interested."

One particularly fortuitous day at Cheltenham's November meeting 12 months ago saw Cooper win a Lucky 15 bet that returned £3,000.

In a subsequent move that most of us would not have made, the 23-year-old decided to buy presents for a charity that cares for babies, children and teenagers with life-limiting illnesses.

She said: "I couldn't think of anything I needed at the time and there was an advert for Shooting Stars Hospices, so I went and got a load of presents.

"I put my winning bet on my Twitter account and said, 'Thanks Bet365 for your money for the hospice.'

"It was just a joke, making fun of the bookies, but people ran away with it and said why don't you set up a Just Giving or Amazon, so I set up an Amazon and didn't expect anything to happen. I had to branch out to three hospices and a hospital to cover the amount of presents that were coming through the door!"

Another factor in helping her charity work go viral was Cooper's contacts in the industry and her followers on social media - indeed, her Twitter account is testament to her hard work and commitment to the cause.

Cooper added: "A guy who works at Shadwell, Ed Beeton, follows me so he contacted me when I put the Godolphin donation up and asked if I had some from Shadwell.

"I said no, I'd emailed but didn't get a response, but those caps are now meant to be delivered by Royal Mail shortly.

"I messaged a few people and asked if they could contact Coolmore, Juddmonte, Cheveley Park, Godolphin and Newsells to see if there was any way they could donate anything. If you don't ask you don't get, and I explained the cause and where the money was going. If I didn't get a response to emails I'd just ask around and see who knew who."

A repeat of the amazing cause looks likely, with Cooper set to aim for a bigger event this time next year.

She said: "Because it's based around Christmas and presents for children I will probably do it again next year but start it earlier to contact all the studs again and see if they will offer any merchandise and create a bigger auction."

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