Chris Hemsworth turns heads among celebrity-rich Millions carnival

Celebrities, sports stars and equine athletes put on a show on the Gold Coast on Sunday to open the Magic Millions carnival.

Billy Slater rubs shoulders with Elsa Pataky and her husband, Hollywood heartthrob Chris Hemsworth, at the Magic Millions showjumping and polo. Picture: Luke Marsden

When you’re rubbing shoulders with royalty, the rich and famous and some of Australia’s top athletes whose attention is focused on showjumping and fast-paced polo matches, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd.

But when you’re 6’3” and carry the physique and looks to play a Norse god-turned-superhero on the big screen, it’s hard to be discreet.

Chris Hemsworth turned plenty of heads on Sunday after he travelled up the M1 from his home in Byron Bay to enjoy an afternoon of horse sports on the Gold Coast and support wife Elsa Pataky, a showjumping enthusiast who has signed on this year as a Magic Millions ambassador.

The Avengers star mingled with rugby league royalty Billy Slater, British royal family member Zara Tindall, Argentinian polo star Nacho Figueras, a swag of top jockeys and trainers, marquees full of leading business figures and a record crowd of 5000.

Audiences are not accustomed to seeing Slater on a losing team, but two late goals from the retired star — a former trackwork jockey who saddled up for the polo — were not enough to give him victory on Sunday.

Zara Tindall and Delfina Blaquier in action during the Magic Millions polo. Picture: Luke Marsden

Instead of carrying a Steeden over the goal line to notch up the points, Slater slotted the back-to-back goals from the saddle aboard a thoroughbred. The twin goals drew massive cheers from the Gold Coast crowd, patriotically set alight by some teasing from Figueras, who promised to make the Queensland State of Origin coach “look like he’s from NSW”.

Despite the loss, the home state hero’s fourth-quarter brilliance was a crowd-pleasing end to a day of all things equestrian.

Billy Slater in action during the Magic Millions polo. Picture: Luke Marsden

The celebrity turnout coincided with the raising of the prize money from $100,000 to $1.45m, which lured professional riders from all over the world.

“You’ve put the sport on the map. Never have I seen a show like this in Australia,” elite show jumping coach and commentator Martin Gostelow said of the event.

After the 12 teams of four riders took their turns, including four Olympians, it came down to the final two riders to determine the winner. A speedy run from Robert Palm and an unlucky knockdown from Amanda Madigan handed Palm’s team victory.

Proving he’s more than just a Melbourne Cup winner, champion jockey James McDonald scored the winning goal in the industry polo match.

Asked if there’s anything he can’t do, McDonald told The Australian: “I’ll tell you what makes me nervous, sinking a 5ft putt for cash”.

“It’s great to be able to give racing fans a glimpse of two more niche horse sports.”

The polo and showjumping was a curtain raiser for the Magic Millions carnival, which will feature a week of yearling sales and culminate on Saturday in the state’s richest race day.

It will be even more lucrative next year, with the announcement on Sunday that the prize money would rise from $11.75m to $14.25m.

From 2025, it will also feature a $5.25m six-race night program on the Friday before the Magic Millions classic.

“The incentive to buy, breed and back in the Sunshine State has never been better, and these innovations are a testament to the strength of the Queensland racing industry,” Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson said.

Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace said the two-week carnival would make an economic contribution to the state of more than $42m.

“I’m thrilled to see crowds converging on the Coast for all the great events, like today’s polo and showjumping, the barrier draw, the yearling sale and – of course – The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday on Saturday,” Ms Grace said.