Gai Waterhouse gets stuck into the 2022 Magic Millions yearling sales on the Gold Coast

Things are already heating up for a huge return to the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions event for 2022, with legendary icon Gai Waterhouse making the rounds at the yearling sales inspection.

HORSE racing icon Gai Waterhouse was one of the first to hit the Magic Millions grounds this week to see the stock on offer ahead of the biggest yearling sale in the southern hemisphere.

She was riding around in a golf buggy with what she called her “bible” – a weighty blue tome overflowing with details on lots and horses’ attributes.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse checks out yearlings at the Magic Millions sales complex at Bundall. Picture Glenn Hampson

Ms Waterhouse, as always, was dripping with eccentric style.

A pink cowboy hat perched upon her brushed back hair, gold jewellery and an elegant striped blouse, all topped off with white cat’s eye sunglasses recalling a 1950s Grace Kelly.

The Bulletin asked if she would divulge her secrets to picking a winning horse.

In a graceful reply she said: “I’m always on the lookout for an athlete.

“My assessment never changes, I’m always on the hunt for the same thing.

“I look at the horse first and then the book. It’s always held me in good stead over the years.”

However, Gai says more than just looks, she followed a “gut instinct” for choosing a champion that not everyone had.

Gai has a “gut instinct” for picking a winner. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It’s something you can acquire but it’s also something you are born with.

“I’m very lucky I had a very talented and brilliant father who helped guide me from a young age. I have it in me to look for the champion and not just buy any racehorse.”

Ms Waterhouse said she was “thrilled to see a momentous return” to the Magic Millions event after a near-two year pandemic.

“It’s great to see everyone out and about already. It’s a wonderful event and I like to say it’s where the surf meets the turf.

Gai’s assistant holds her “bible”. Picture Glenn Hampson

“People can come here with their families and enjoy it. It’s a brilliant thing.”

When asked if the average punter could strike it rich by buying into a syndicated lot, Ms Waterhouse said: “This is one of very few sales in the world where you can achieve it.”

It appears Ms Waterhouse isn’t slowing down either.

Her eye was sharp on the game and it was obvious she could tell immediately when a horse wasn’t taking her fancy. A sharp but polite thankyou was delivered to some breeders spruiking their wares.

But for those she may have had her eye on - she paused - and jotted a few brief notes in her big blue book.

The yearling sales grossed a record breaking $211 million in 2021.

And while Magic Millions boss Barry Bowditch said Thursday he aspired to match those figures but was “staying realistic”, the talent in the stables had caught the attention early for the likes of Ms Waterhouse and champion trainer Chris Waller.