Magic Millions: Billy Slater ‘all in’ for celebrity polo tournament
Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater will ride into battle upon mighty steed Bruce, determined not to let down his all-star celebrity team.
Confidential
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It is not every day you see the new Queensland State of Origin coach riding his kids’ pony and hitting a football with a polo mallet, but Billy Slater is not a man to do things by halves.
He is back in Queensland to play in the Magic Millions Polo tournament on Sunday and he is determined not to let his celebrity team down.
“I have had a bit of practice to sharpen up the skills,” Slater said. “Although polo is like playing golf one handed while riding a horse flat out.”
Still he loves a challenge. Slater said he was more nervous before he took the role of State of Origin coach than when he had signed on the dotted line. “Now I’m all in and full steam ahead,” he said.
“It means so much to five million people. It means so much to me, State of Origin has inspired me since I was four years old.”
Being back in Queensland and on the Gold Coast is also exciting for Slater after a difficult year dealing with the impacts of Covid.
Slater will lead a polo team that includes Melbourne Cup winning jockey James McDonald in the polo after the inaugural $100,000 Magic Millions show jumping competition. It is a busy week for Slater who also breeds and trains his own thoroughbreds. On Tuesday he will ride along the beach at Surfers Paradise ahead of the barrier draw for Saturday’s $10 million Magic Millions race day.
He will then attend the yearling sales, which grossed a record breaking $211 million in 2021, together with some of the biggest names in Australian racing.
“I don’t have any yearlings for sale this year but I have a couple of foals on the ground who will be here next year,” he said. “I like to come and look at the horses and see what makes an athlete, a champion.”
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