From the beginning of the new racing season on August 1, Maher will donate a percentage of his winning prize money commissions directly to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation (Peter Mac).

“Cancer touches everyone,” the group one-winning trainer said.

“My grandmother died of cancer at the age of 38, leaving five children, and her eldest daughter also died of cancer, so I’ve seen first-hand the emotional, physical and financial toll cancer has not only on the sufferer but also the family.

“Many of our racehorse owners have been affected by cancer too, in fact some are still suffering, so this is a cause close to my heart and just last week a mate of mine was diagnosed with cancer.”

More than 180 people will attend the inaugural Ciaron Maher charity ball at Caulfield racecourse on Saturday night when the former Warrnambool Emmanuel College student announces that across all Victorian race meetings, he will donate $500 for every stakes win, $200 for every metropolitan win, $100 for every provincial win and $50 for every country win. All proceeds from an auction at the charity ball will be donated to Peter Mac.

“What really impresses me about Peter Mac is the passion and determination shown by their researchers to find new and better treatments, as quickly as possible, so that every person with cancer has the best chance of cure,” he said.

“This announcement reflects the generosity and the charitable involvement of the racing community which will help Peter Mac’s researchers to access the specialised resources they need to make life-saving discoveries.”

Peter Mac is Australia’s only public hospital solely dedicated to cancer, and is the home of Australia’s largest cancer research group. Donations play a critical role in making their work possible.