Mayor Tom Tate, Simon Gloftis, Billy Cross plus Hendersons buy Magic Millions yearling, call it GoGoldCoast

A high-profile group of locals including Mayor Tom Tate are saddling up to boost city marketing efforts with a racehorse called GoGoldCoast.

To go with story revealing The high profile GC co-owners of a Magic Millions horse, officially called GoGoldCoast. (l-r) Simon Gloftis, Andrew Henderson and Luke Henderson. Picture: Jerad Williams

A high-profile group of locals including Mayor Tom Tate are saddling up to boost city marketing efforts with a racehorse called GoGoldCoast.

Cr Tate and former Glitter Strip bar baron turned Manpower founder Billy Cross are part of a 15-strong syndicate which bought the yearling for $170,000 at the Magic Millions auction on the Gold Coast back in January.

They have now officially secured the racing name GoGoldCoast for the colt which is being groomed for the track by top trainer Chris Waller.

A Magic Millions yearling bought by high-profile Gold Coasters including Mayor Tom Tate, Manpower founder Billy Cross, restaurateur Simon Gloftis, Hans Torv and brother Luke and Andrew Henderson plus some others. They are calling it GoGoldCoast to promote the city.

Mr Cross and Cr Tate have a half share and fellow local investors include top restaurateur Simon Gloftis and Hot Tomato boss Hans Torv.

Coast real estate moguls and brothers Luke and Andrew Henderson, who are heavily involved in horse racing and won the Melbourne Cup and Golden Slipper, have also snapped up a stake.

Luke Henderson said he jumped at the opportunity.

“We haven’t been able to say anything publicly until now because we had to ensure we could protect the name officially.

“The publicity value for the city will be a bonus if he starts winning. I hope the whole city gets behind the colt and we develop a bit of a cult following for it.”

Billy Cross says Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate came up with the idea to name a locally owned yearling racehorse GoGoldCoast. Picture Glenn Hampson

They plan to target next year’s prestigious Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic, one of the few big races the Hendersons haven’t won.

Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan has applauded the novel name, saying he had high hopes it would be a winner.

“I think it’s a fantastic name and I hope it goes onto win not only here but all around Australia promoting the Gold Coast.”

Mr Cross said the name was all Cr Tate’s idea and they took the plunge after chatting about the idea during the Magic Millions festival’s opening day polo event.

“The two of us were talking about it and saying let’s get a syndicate of Gold Coasters together and his condition was we had to call it GoGoldCoast,” Mr Cross said.

“Then all of a sudden we’d bought a horse.”

Co-owners in a Magic Millions yearling are excited about the potential for their racer now officially called GoGoldCoast. Co-owners include restaurateur Simon Gloftis and real estate moguls Andrew Henderson and Luke Henderson. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Waller said it was a strong colt and would be ready to have a crack at the Magic Millions races next January.

”Hopefully the city gets right behind this horse and we hear plenty of cheering GoGoldCoast.”

Veteran bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster, who famously selected Winx - bought for $230,000 and now with earnings of about $10m - did the bidding for GoGoldCoast.