Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Race Day Guide
Here is the guide to the only race day in the Southern Hemisphere with eight races worth more than $1 million. Read the details
Gold Coast
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On a scorching summer day there’s nothing better than cooling off with a refreshing swim – especially if you’re a racehorse.
Magic Millions ambassador Delfina Blaquier and daughter Aurora took retired racehorses Bruce and Goldie for a dawn plunge ahead of today’s bumper race day.
“The horses love this, it is so relaxing for them,” a delighted Blaquier said after her bareback swim. “In Florida we swim our horses in the canals but we have to check for alligators first. Are there any crocodiles here?”
Blaquier and her Argentinian polo star husband Nacho Figueras will be joining fellow ambassadors Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater and King Charles II’s niece Zara Tindall and husband Mike at the race day at the Gold Coast Turf Club today.
It is the only race day in the Southern Hemisphere with eight races worth more than $1 million and is the 10th anniversary of Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page’s creation of a prize money bonus for female owners.
“I love that Katie has done so much for women in racing,” said Blaquier. “True leaders support people and help them grow. She is a real inspiration to me.”
Sydney-based trainer Annabel Neasham said the race day was bigger than ever this year with an “incredible atmosphere”.
“Every year there are more and more people. I don’t know how they fit them all in – even my mum has flown in from England,” she said.
Sydney jockey Rachel King will be riding Infatuation in the $2 million Two Year Old Classic for trainer Bjorn Baker and the horse’s more than 1300 micro-share owners.
“If it doesn’t go to plan I might get mobbed by a few of them,” laughed King. “I have got a flight home on Sunday but if we do happen to win it might be a couple of days later.”
The Magic Millions race day bookends a week of equine exuberance that began with polo and the nation’s richest showjumping competition before a bumper week of yearling sales.
Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said the race day’s $11.75 million in prize money complemented what was shaping up to be a record-breaking horse sale.
“What has been happening at the sales has been quite extraordinary – to have three yearlings make in excess of $2.5 million is something very special,” he said.
The previous record of $2.2 million was set in 2008. Trainer Ciaron Maher paid $2.5 million yesterday for a bay colt bred by Coolmore in the Hunter Valley, saying he was one of the “very best colts” in the sale.
His hope is that not only will he become a champion racer but also a top breeding sire. “That’s the name of the game, to get him back in the stable as a stallion,” he said
WHEN: Saturday 14th January
GATES OPEN: 9am, 8:45am for members
WHERE : Gold Coast Turf Club at Aquis Park, Racecourse Drive, Bundall
TOP RACE TIMES: 3:25 PM - $2M The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic, 4:10PM - $2M Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas
TRANSPORT: Free Surfside Buslines shuttles from Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Tweed Heads
PARKING: Magic Millions Car Park on Racecourse Road
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