Magic Millions owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page lock in contract renewals for ambassadors, Tourism and Events Queensland and more

It’s that magic time of year again - the southern hemisphere’s biggest yearling sale and horse racing carnival is back and means serious business. Read why it’s going to be bigger than ever

IT’S that magic time of year again - and mark it on the calendar to get bigger and better through to 2028 thanks to a new State Government commitment.

Magic Millions, the southern hemisphere’s biggest yearling sale and horse racing carnival is back, bringing star-power with it and renewed long-term partnerships with the state, celebrities, TV and Racing Queensland.

The Gold Coast Magic Millions on Friday revealed the extension of its multi-million dollar contract with Tourism & Events Queensland through to 2028.

It has also locked in contracts with Racing Queensland till 2027, The Star Gold Coast, Seven Network plus ambassadors and Argentina polo pro Nacho Figueras with wife Delfina Blaquier to 2025 and Royal couple Zara and Mike Tindall to 2026.

Magic Millions ambassador Elsa Pataky ahead of the show jumping and polo events on the Gold Coast. Picture by Luke Marsden.

Magic Millions owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page joined their A-list ambassador line up at Star Gold Coast to unveil the long-term backing.

“It is on days like today, on the eve of the 2023 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, that we all gain an extra insight into the scale, scope and reach of Magic Millions,” Ms Page said.

Magic Millions ambassadors Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Mike and Zara Tindall. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“We are just so fortunate to be able to work with this diverse team of experts and industries – from TEQ, Racing Queensland, The Star and Seven through to our remarkable family of ambassadors.

“Tourism Queensland know there is nothing else like it in Australia or the world and the numbers prove it.”

Acting Tourism and Sport Minister Scott Stewart said the TEQ deal backed a carnival and yearling sale that was an iconic Queensland event, attracting 19,000 unique visitors from across the country and the world.

“For years to come, the eyes of the racing world will remain firmly fixed on the Gold Coast every January as the city that not only puts on world-class racing but promotes our unbeatable lifestyle and way of life.”

The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2023 launch . Gerry Harvey and Katie Page at the launch. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Stewart said Magic Millions would see 84,674 bed nights booked during 14 days of the carnival and yearling auction, injecting an estimated $42 million into Queensland’s economy.

The Star Gold Coast’s chief operating officer Jess Mellor said: “Magic Millions continues to position the Gold Coast as a world-class tourism and major events destination and is why we at The Star are proud to be back as a supporter through to 2025.

“The energy on the Gold Coast across carnival season is like no other time of the year. With so much happening both at the track and in our venues, we are looking forward to another brilliant carnival week.”

Magic Millions sales . Managing Director of Magic Millions Barry Bowditch at the sales. Picture Glenn Hampson

Racing Queensland chair Steve Wilson said: “As the only raceday in the Southern Hemisphere to stage eight million-dollar plus races, we continue to find new ways

to innovate and enhance our racing, breeding and tourism activities in conjunction with

Magic Millions.”

The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions race day next Saturday offers $11.75 million in prize money, the highest in its 36-year history.

The carnival kicks off with this Sunday’s Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo at Doug Jennings Park at The Spit.

The 2023 yearling sales start on Tuesday, with inspections already underway since Wednesday.

Originally published as Magic Millions owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page lock in contract renewals for ambassadors, Tourism and Events Queensland and more