Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page talks about what the Gold Coast event means to racing community

FOR the Gold Coast, Magic Millions has become a powerhouse of celebrity horses and humans. But for those directly involved, the event means something else entirely.

Katie Page-Harvey and Gerry Harvey at the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo at The Spit, Southport. Picture: Jerad Williams.

FOR the Gold Coast, Magic Millions has become a powerhouse — a festival of sheiks and British royalty, celebrity humans and horses, big business and big dollars splashed over a week.

Revenue from the sales alone has doubled in the past five years to $145 million, with household names like Winx, Buffering and Capitalist among the alumni, and race day itself has become Australia’s richest with a $10 million prize pool.

The 2017 event injected more than $26.65 million into the Gold Coast economy.

New Magic Millions director Barry Bowditch and outgoing director Vin Cox at the Magic Millions sales yard. Picture: Jerad Williams

But for those directly involved, the event is the first on the Australian racing calendar and more akin to a family reunion than a big-budget bonanza.

“We just love that week, why wouldn’t you be in a good mood?” says Magic Millions co-owner and Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page, fresh out of a board meeting for the retailer.

“A lot of us work in very hectic industries, we’re full-on the whole time and to be around something like this is just the greatest feeling.

“For Gerry and I, to wake up each morning and be able to go for an early morning walk or swim on the beach, go to work, do Magic Millions, meet all our mates, talk about horses — this is heaven.”

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The Magic Millions Barrier Draw including horses galloping down Surfers Paradise Beach. Pic Tim Marsden

Ms Page and her husband and Magic Millions co-owner Gerry Harvey bought into the event at the end of the 1990s and built it up with racing identity John Singleton, when it was in need of some financial rejuvenation.

Zara Phillips at this year’s Magic Millions Barrier Draw at Surfers Paradise Beach. Pic Tim Marsden

“For quite a long time we concentrated on the sales, getting that right, then Singo and I turned our attention to the actual race day and how we could turn it into one of the top events in Australia.”

The pair will join Channel Seven heavyweights Kerry Stokes, Ryan Stokes and Tim Worner to launch the 2018 Magic Millions carnival today.

Face of Ralph Lauren Polo and Magic Millions Polo ambassador Nacho Figueras.

A series of good ideas, well executed, has seen some uniquely Gold Coast additions including the invitation-only launch party, beachfront barrier draw and exhibition race on the sand and the Magic Millions Polo — the Sunday sporting event that is earmarked for further growth.

“Gerry and I don’t stand still, we don’t want everything to be the same every year, we’re about what we can do next, how can we improve, how can we get more people involved,” Ms Page said.