Horses run loose on highway after escaping Magic Millions beach race in Surfers Paradise

Police had their work cut out tracking down two horses which escaped from the Magic Millions beach race spectacle, crossed a highway and were running around the suburb. SEE THE VIDEO

Two horses in the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions beach race spectacle ended up tossing their jockeys, running loose on a highway and making it half way back to Bundall stables.

A police spokeswoman said about 8.40am it was reported a jockey had been thrown from a horse at The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise.

A horse roams a Surfers Paradise street after the Magic Millions beach race on Tuesday morning. Picture: supplied

Two horses were later seen running on the northbound and southbound lanes of the Gold Coast Highway.

They were also spotted on Sunrise Boulevard.

The spokeswoman said both horses were found “under control” in Alberta Place, several kilometres away, about 8.50am.

The horses run from the beach after the official Magic Millions event. Picture: Twitter

Arrangements were being made for a horse float to collect them.

A Magic Millions spokeswoman said the horses - two of dozens involved in the beach race spectacle run three times during the morning before 5000 spectators - were unharmed and had been checked over by vets.

“The experienced jockeys were checked over by a medic and were also not injured,” she said.

Police looking for the escaped horses. Picture: Karen Phillips

Gold Coast PR personality Karen Phillips took to Facebook to share a photo of police in a buggie who were looking for the horses.

“Not your average question asked by a buggie full of police, ‘have you seen a horse?’,” Ms Phillips said.

“Magic Millions horse breaks free in Surfers.”

Acting Mayor Donna Gates, at the barrier draw, said it had been an “interesting couple of days”, with Tuesday’s horse escape following a similar incident last week.

She denied there was any need for safety measures to be reviewed.

“They were fairly quickly captured, put in a float and taken back to where they belong.

“The best possible outcome was they were captured quickly and nobody was injured.

“I was really impressed to be down there this morning and having a look at the millions while the horses raced along the beach and every precaution was taken.

“I don’t know the circumstances of how those horses escaped but I do know the outcome was good.”