Magic Millions Carnival Gold Coast: Secrets of Surfers Paradise barrier draw revealed

The Magic Millions barrier draw is one of the traditions of the annual racing carnival. Most people don’t know the true story about the event and why it’s held on Surfers Paradise Beach.

THE Magic Millions barrier draw is one of the traditions of the annual racing carnival.

Thousands of people typically pack onto the Surfers Paradise beach for the excitement of seeing horses and champion jockeys thundering along the sand to choose the placements for the following weekend’s two feature Magic Millions races.

The race day, which has a $2m prize, is the highlight of the Coast’s racing summer and has long been a landmark of the social calendar, amid the multimillion yearling sales.

The event is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular visual treats of the year.

The 2005 Magic Millions barrier draw was presided over by Queensland Racing steward Wayne Wood. It was a low-stakes affair compared to this week’s excitement.

While the barrier draw dates back to 1988 and the first race day, the modern event has only existed for 11 years, beginning in 2012.

It was the brainchild of then Magic Millions boss Vin Cox who announced the “Australian first Melbourne Cup in shorts” in December 2011.

Far from the crowd of horses seen during the modern-day exhibition on the sand, the Gold Coast City Council and Surfers Paradise Alliance boss Mike Winlaw pulled out the stops to allow two horses to gallop along the sand.

January 2002: John Singleton's daughters Sally, then-17 and Jessie, then-19 at that year’s barrier draw, which was held at the casino.

Mr Cox told the Bulletin at the time the move to the beach would “bring the race to the punters and assist in infiltrating the brand into the city”. “We’ll host a breakfast and really try to get some engagement with the wider public to promote the race day rather than simply relying on the racing industry,” he said. “It’ll also be a perfect opportunity to showcase the Gold Coast. We anticipate we’ll get substantial national and international media coverage for the event.” Prior to that year’s race, the barrier draw was a low-profile event which was held at the Gold Coast Turf Club or a sponsored venue such as Conrad Jupiters Casino.

2013 Magic Millions barrier draw on Surfers Paradise Beach.

The beach dash was the first significant change made since co-owner John Singleton sold his stake in the company to Gerry Harvey and his wife Katie Page. Then-area councillor Susie Douglas welcomed the change, saying at the time it was “great to see the beach being used for multi-purposes and to its full potential’’. The 2012 event also saw actor Brooklyn Decker, wife of tennis player Andy Roddick named as the face of the event. By 2013, that role was taken by Zara Tindall, the niece of King Charles III. Ms Tindall, an Olympian equestrian rider in her own regard, is one of many celebrities to have attended in recent years, along with former NRL legend Billy Slater and Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras.

The barrier draw will be held on Tuesday from 6am.

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Originally published as Magic Millions Carnival Gold Coast: Secrets of Surfers Paradise barrier draw revealed