Australia’s First $10 Million Raceday On Tap

Officials at Magic Millions in conjunction with Racing Queensland have announced the creation of the Jeep Magic Millions Raceday, the country’s first-ever A$10-million program, to be held Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. The meeting, which will rank among the world’s 10 richest, is part of a seven-year partnership which is intended to take the summer racing program in Australia to new heights with the Magic Millions Racing Queensland Summer Carnival. 

“The phenomenal support and foresight of Racing Queensland, in concert with Magic Millions, has created the Magic Millions $10-Million Raceday, Vin Cox, managing director of the auction house, stated. “The combined vision is a game-changer for Queensland racing, for the Gold Coast and for the Australian Thoroughbred industry as a whole.” 

Cox continued, “The partnership with Racing Queensland is long-term, which invigorates Thoroughbred racing for the current generation of industry stakeholders, as well as creating momentum and motivation for the next generation of Queenslanders and Australians committing to a Thoroughbred industry career.” 

The 2015 series features total purse money of A$4.2 million, highlighted by the A$2-million Magic Millions 2YO Classic over 1200 meters. That race will see its prize money boosted to A$2.5 million. While the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas is the only other seven-figure race during next month’s races, the newly bolstered series will see no fewer than seven races of A$1-million or more. The 2016 running of the 3YO Guineas will be contested for A$2 million, twice that of the current purse. 

Racing Queensland Chairman Kevin Dixon believes the increased purses will attract the best horses and the attention of the racing world. 

“Over the past six months, we have built a strong platform with base-level and feature prize money increases and this partnership is the next phase in our vision to take Queensland racing to the world,” Dixon commented. “[This] announcement is just one part of an overall program to continually improve all three codes of racing in Queensland.” 

To be eligible for the series, the nomination fee for yearlings offered at Magic Millions sales is A$4,950 (including GST) and that will pay up any purchase through its lifetime for participation in any of the Magic Millions-sponsored races across Australia, including the $10-million extravaganza on the Gold Coast. In a special offer to buyers at the Gold Coast March Sale, the nomination fee will be A$3,300 (including GST), a number which is capped for seven years under the new partnership. 

Additionally, Magic Millions is offering a one-off opportunity for owners of eligible horses offered at a Magic Millions yearling sale in 2014 or earlier NOT previously nominated to do so via a late registration. This windo of opportunity will remain through July 31, 2015 and will not be offered again, according to the company. Horses subject to late registration will qualify to nominate to a race on Magic Millions Raceday, excluding the 2YO Classic and the 3YO Guineas. The late registration fee will be A$4,950 (including GST). 

Dixon explained that there will be a slight twist come entry day. 

“Another clincher will be the addition of four ‘wild card’ entries into four $1-million races on Jeep Magic Millions Raceday, which will be granted to eligible winners of four selected races during the summer carnival and potentially give four non-Magic Millions horses a chance to race on the day.” 

Queensland Minister of Racing Steve Dickson said that Magic Millions is already a contributor to the Gold Coast economy, but that this new partnership would further boost the state’s racing and tourism industries. 

“We want to grow tourism, as one of the four pillars of the economy, and events like the Magic Millions really help put our state on the map,” he explained, adding, “Where else can you watch top-quality horses compete for $10 million in stakes just a stone’s throw from some of the world’s most beautiful beaches?” 

Dixon is already looking forward to the event. 

“This is a monumental day for the Queensland racing industry and the partnership with Magic Millions leaves no doubt as to where we want to take our racing product,” he commented.