Royal favourite Zara Tindall returns to Gold Coast for Magic Millions
King Charles' niece Zara Tindall has revealed why she extended her record-breaking reign as a Magic Millions ambassador.
She’s the queen of Magic Millions – and her reign has just been extended.
King Charles’ niece Zara Tindall is saddling up for another TAB Gold Coast Magic Millions as the carnival’s longest-serving ambassador, after her 12-year tenure was increased by owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page-Harvey.
While Chris Hemsworth’s wife Elsa Pataky has finished her three-year association with the event, Zara and her former British rugby star husband Mike are back on board.
Queensland rugby league legend Billy Slater and equine artist wife Nicole, dashing Argentine polo star and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras and his model/fashion photographer wife Delfine Balquier and Channel 7’s Hamish McLachlan have also had their ambassadorships renewed in another coup for the carnival.
Amid difficult times for the British royals, Olympic silver medal-winning equestrian Zara – who has been a Magic Millions ambassador since 2013 – is a controversy-free, perfect poster girl for the event.
And she’s not just the face of the carnival. The champion horsewoman will also ride in the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping events held as part of the two-week equine extravaganza from January 6-18.
“We have such a great time when we are there,” Zara told Qweekend from the UK.
“Everyone comes for a good time and to get behind the event and get more women involved in all things equestrian. All the ambassadors have become great friends over the years, and obviously we all have a common interest in horses albeit in different parts of the industry.
“It’s really fun to play polo with Nacho and Delfi, and hopefully entertaining for people to watch.
“Billy and Nicole Slater both also have a massive passion for horses – they breed racehorses now (at their Slater Thoroughbreds boutique stud outside Melbourne) and Billy loves playing polo, so it’s a great atmosphere and a brilliant group of people.”
Meanwhile, TAB is riding high as the Magic Millions carnival’s new naming rights sponsor, taking over from embattled casino company The Star.
The carnival will feature two race meetings boasting more than $20m in prizemoney, the polo and showjumping, Magic Millions Racing Women TAB Achievement Awards and 40th annual Magic Millions yearling sales where the country’s most prized horseflesh will go under the auctioneer’s hammer.
“There is an electric atmosphere here that you just don’t find anywhere else – a unique blend of elite sport, high-stakes sales and family fun against the backdrop of our beautiful beaches,” Ms Page-Harvey said.
Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mander said Magic Millions had become “a truly global spectacle”, and pumped more than $55m into the state’s economy.
Originally published as Royal favourite Zara Tindall returns to Gold Coast for Magic Millions
