Magic Millions and TAB to recognise women in racing

The Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast will celebrate more of the top women in the thoroughbred industry with an expanded gala awards night next year.

The Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast will celebrate more of the top women in the thoroughbred industry with an expanded gala awards night next year.

Nominations have opened for the Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement awards (MMRW).

The awards night, in its second year, will be held on January 3 at the Star Gold Coast as part of the two-week Millions carnival.

The 2025 awards will introduce five new categories with the Racing Woman of the Year to be crowned in states and territories – including a Queensland division.

Founder and co-owner of the MMRW Katie Page-Harvey said the event would shine a spotlight on how fundamental women were to the ongoing success of racing in Australia.

“This year we will expand our recognition of the exceptional contribution of women in the thoroughbred industry across the country,” she said.

“More women, who too often prefer to ‘fly under the radar,’ will be rewarded for the role they play in an industry that contributes over $9 billion to the Australian economy.”

TAB will reward all five winners in the new categories – which as well as Queensland take in NSW and ACT, Victoria, Tasmania& South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory – a $10,000 Racing Women scholarship.

National Magic Millions Racing Women winner Lindy Maurice in her home town of Orange with local pony riders Myah Parkes, Rose Staniforth and Georgie Brazier. Picture: Graham Schumann

Tabcorp’s chief customer officer and panel judge for the event Jenni Barnett said the partnership between TAB and Magic Millions would “grow, innovate and promote,” the carnival and continue to be one of the most progressive brands in racing.

“TAB is so proud to partner with Katie and Magic Millions to celebrate women right across the racing industry who make such an important contribution to racing,’’ she said.

“We’re particularly excited to see the awards broaden this year. As Katie says, ‘so many women prefer to fly under the radar,’ and the Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards provides a platform to promote the amazing contribution of women throughout the industry,” she said.

Originally published as Magic Millions and TAB to recognise women in racing