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SOMETIMES you just have to do it yourself.
For years Sally Ann Grassick has been telling anyone who would listen that racing needed better merchandise to help attract new fans. Now she has gone and set up her own company which produces plush toys in the image of famous racehorses.
Turf Stars has just launched its first product - a furry Honeysuckle toy - and Sally Ann has been busy distributing them all over Ireland and further afield.
"This is a real passion project," Sally Ann told us. "I have long felt Irish racing could learn from Japan and Hong Kong on the value of merchandise and I decided two years ago to try and do it myself. It has been a real learning experience for me and has taken all that time to find manufacturers, come up with a sample I was happy with and design labels, packaging, website, et cetera."
Sally Ann reports that the reaction has been "really great" and the first orders were shipped out this week. "For now they sell through the website but I am hoping to have them stocked in equestrian and racing-related gift shops over the next few weeks."
Honeysuckle was chosen to be the the first in the range "as I felt there was a real fan affinity with her and her connections, who have been really encouraging from day one. Fans can now go on our website and their votes will determine who the next Turf Star will be.
"I am also currently talking to some stallion farms about producing Turf Stars of their own horses. The possibility exists to bulk order a specific horse, either of the classic Turf Star style or wearing racing silks, maybe as a gift for syndicate members."
Each Turf Star comes with its own "passport" tag and Certificate of Authenticity, created by Weatherbys, both of which detail their bio (age, sex, pedigree, connections, racing achievements). Each horse also has a page on the Turf Stars website all about them and their careers.
"They also have the colour and markings of the racing legend they represent and wear a saddle cloth in their racing colours with their number in the collection. I have tried to make them as special and unique as possible, right down to the packaging."
Sally Ann is hoping that racing fans will collect them and that the initiative also helps to create a connection for new fans to encourage them to learn more about the horses behind the racing, away from the gambling side of the sport.
"I have plans for some other related products in the future which will go alongside the plushs in a way of appealing to new and younger audiences but I am hoping for the support of the industry in order to be able to do that! Imagine being able to go to major equestrian events with a trade stand entirely of products representing famous racehorses and the reach that would give the sport to a new generation."
Tel: 087 7637125
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