Revealed: Billy Slater, Elsa Pataky and Defina Blaquier among celebs who made an appearance at Magic Millions polo
Celebs and punters alike flocked to Doug Jennings Park on Sunday for the Magic Millions Polo and Show-Jumping. Read why big celebs like Billy Slater keep coming back more more.
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Billy Slater just can’t get enough of the Gold Coast and the Magic Millions.
The Queensland State of Origin coach and NRL legend and accomplished horseman – who says his work ethic was fostered as a youngster as a one-time stablehand for legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse – is back on the Glitter Strip for his sixth year in a row as a Magic Millions ambassador.
Speaking at the Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping at Doug Jennings Park on Sunday, Slater said the memories were what kept him and his family coming back year after year.
“We’ve been here since 2019 so six years now, and it’s a real family week for us. We’re ingrained in the thoroughbred industry,” he said.
“We breed some, we’ve got a colt for sale at the (yearling) sales, and I’m playing in the polo this afternoon, when you can call your job your passion, I think you’re on a winner.”
Mr Slater said it was the third year he’s played in the celebrity polo match against fellow ambassador and Argentine polo pro Nacho Figueras and wife Delfina Blaquier who also plays.
Mr Slater, here with wife Nicole – who joined former English rugby star Mike Tindall for a karaoke duet of Shallows at the Gold Coast Turf Club twilight meet on Saturday night - said he loved spending time on the Gold Coast during Magic Millions week.
“I’m a Queenslander, [the Gold Coast] is an amazing place anytime of the year, but in January, the weather’s fantastic, spend time at the beach, that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
”There’s an industry, and there’s horses to be sold next week, but [the polo] is an event for the whole family.
“I love seeing the younger generations running around here at the Polo and horses are a big part of our lives.
“I think hanging around horses, they make you better people. They teach us so much.”
Joining Slater in the VIP marquee was Actress Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth’s wife, former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and partner Dr Reza Dib, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and Mayoress Ruth Tate as well as a record crowd of 5500. They watched on as some of the country’s best senior showjumpers competed for the richest prize pool in Australia at $1.45m. The juniors competed for a $10,000 prize pool.
Ms Blaquier said she loved coming to the Gold Coast or Magic Millions and spending time on the beach.
“I love being here, I love my Januarys here on the beach, I actually love to be jet lagged because I get to wake up at 4.30 in the morning,” she said.
“I found a little classical pilates studios down at Broadbeach and all I do is as a physio therapy... I have a little bit of scoliosis, so I really need to be strong in my core, and I love it.
“Then riding, playing polo here, going to races, looking on the beautiful horses at the auction, I mean, it’s so much fun.”
Ms Blaquier said she also loved being around Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page and said she was an excellent role model.
“She is a role model from motherhood, entrepreneurial empowerment, she is a force,” she said.
“You have to surround yourself to be with people that elevate you, the energy, you absorb all that.”
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Originally published as Revealed: Billy Slater, Elsa Pataky and Defina Blaquier among celebs who made an appearance at Magic Millions polo
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