MOREE Race Club was dealt a hefty blow overnight Thursday when thieves broke into a storeroom at Moree racecourse and stole valuable equipment needed at the club’s huge Christmas meeting next week.

Moree Race Club president, Rob Mather, has appealed for public help.

“There was a lot of gardening equipment stolen as well as a water-spray unit used to cool down horses,” Mr Mather said.

“There aren’t too many of these about, so if anyone sees this particular item anywhere please contact the club.”

The club can be contacted on 0428 644581.

“Our big Christmas meeting is just around the corner, and this piece of equipment is vital for our horse welfare protocol on race-day,” Mr Mather said.

Stolen items include a mig welder, two hedgers, blower-vac, and two pumps.

All equipment stolen is needed to prepare the grounds for the Moree Ag Supplies and Steel twilight Christmas races on Saturday, December 14 – the club’s biggest social event of the year.

This water-spray unit, used to cool down horses on race-day, was stolen, along with gardening equipment, from Moree Race Club overnight Thursday.

“The pumps are brand-new and were only recently purchased by the club,” Mr Mather said.

Club secretary Michell Gobbert said the racecourse and amenities are heavily monitored by security cameras.

“We are going through the footage from last night, and the police have been notified,” she said.

“We held a committee meeting last night to finalise everything we need to have ready for the Christmas races. We were there ‘til late, and everything was secure and locked up when we left,” she said.

Mrs Gobbert also reminds everyone all race-day entry tickets need to be purchased online.

Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

Tickets available here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1293974