Magic Millions to become richest race day in Australia in 2023
The 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival is set to receive a $1.5 million prizemoney increase, with the introduction of two world-first races.
The introduction of Magic Millions The Syndicate (1200m, 3YOs & up) and Magic Millions The Debut (900m, 2YO), means that a 10-race card will be conducted at the Gold Coast on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
With the addition of these races, it takes the Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday to all new heights, with eight million-dollar plus races throughout the course of the meeting, with only the Dubai World Cup meeting and the second day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships offering more.
“It’s fantastic to see this incredible event continue to grow, with the upcoming expansion providing even more reason for racing and equine enthusiasts to come, stay and see everything the Gold Coast and Queensland has to offer, including the world-famous beach gallop; barrier draw; and yearling sales,” Racing Minister Grace Grace said.
“Importantly, The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival is responsible for generating more than 31,500 bed nights and contributing $38.7 million to the Queensland economy on an annual basis.”
The Magic Millions The Syndicate will be the eighth $1 million race added to the meeting, generating one of the world’s biggest ownership experiences.
In order to take place in The Syndicate, horses must be owned by a minimum of 20 individual owners and/or registered syndicate members, from the time of the horse’s first race start, through to the running of the race.
As for the Magic Millions The Debut, it will be run and won for $500,000, while it will be exclusive to two-year-old horses who are having their first start in a race, becoming the richest two-year-old maiden in the world.
“The incentive to buy, breed and back Queensland racing has never been better,” Racing Queensland Chairman Steve Wilson AM said.
“The success of traditional syndicators and now micro-syndication has been well documented in recent years, and through the addition of The Syndicate, it can scale new heights with hundreds of owners descending on the Gold Coast Turf Club to participate in the Magic Millions, sharing in the ownership journey.
“In conjunction with the $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic, The Debut offers an incredible opportunity for owners to obtain an immediate return, and to reinvest in Queensland racing.”
A number of changes will be made to the Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, with the Magic Millions Maiden moving from the Gold Coast’s feature meeting, back to the Saturday prior on The Wave meeting, while the Magic Millions Country Cup will be moved also, along with a $250,000 prizemoney increase, taking its purse to $500,000.
The added races and extra prizemoney will mean that there is over $13.5 million in prizemoney on offer at the Gold Coast across the back-to-back Saturdays, becoming one of the richest carnival in the world.
“The introduction of these two innovative races to The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday will drive significant growth in participation and investment, both new and renewed,” Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch said.
“Syndicators across Australia provide an integral pathway to making racing accessible and The Syndicate will enable those large ownership groups to come together and experience one of the biggest and best racedays in the world – on the Gold Coast.
“These new races will be enormously exciting and will broaden the reach of the Raceday.
“Just think of the anticipation of having your horse race for half a million dollars at its first race start in The Debut. This is not happening anywhere else in the world but Queensland.”