Magic Millions dramatic revamp for 2023 after two new races added to calendar

Two races to attract new owners to the sport will be added to the super-rich Magic Millions race day from 2023.

Horses race on Magic Millions day at the Gold Coast. Picture: Mike Batterham.

The Magic Millions race day will be dramatically revamped next year with two new races added to the calendar in an attempt to attract new owners into racing.

Both The Syndicate and The Debut will be added to the day, taking prizemoney from $10.25m to $11.75m as the card increases to 10 races from 2023.

The Syndicate, a 1200m sprint, will be run for $1m for horses owned by a minimum of 20 registered owners in an attempt to promote affordable racehorse ownership.

The Debut (900m) is a $500,000 scamper for two-year-old’s having their first start on the day.

In reshuffling the calendar, the Magic Millions Maiden will be moved a week earlier to The Wave race day to make way for the new races.

It means there will now be eight $1m or more races on the big day from 2023.

“The incentive to buy, breed and back Queensland racing has never been better,” Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson said.

Two new races have been added to the Magic Millions card in order to strengthen the carnival. Picture: Gold Coast Bulletin.

“The success of traditional syndicators and now micro-syndication has been well documented in recent years, and through the addition of The Syndicate, it can scale new heights with hundreds of owners descending on the Gold Coast Turf Club to participate in the Magic Millions, sharing in the ownership journey.

“In conjunction with the $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic, The Debut offers an incredible opportunity for owners to obtain an immediate return, and to reinvest in Queensland racing.”

The Magic Millions Country Cup will be doubled in prizemoney to $500,000 and moved from The Wave raceday to the main Magic Millions card.

“The introduction of these two innovative races to The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions race day will drive significant growth in participation and investment, both new and renewed,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.

“Syndicators across Australia provide an integral pathway to making racing accessible and The Syndicate will enable those large ownership groups to come together and experience one of the biggest and best race days in the world – on the Gold Coast.”

Originally published as Magic Millions dramatic revamp for 2023 after two new races added to calendar