| The Gold Coast will again come alive this January for The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, with the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo kicking off Australia’s social calendar for 2020 in spectacular fashion. Some of the biggest names in the international polo and equine industries will come together to deliver a day of high octane action and fun for the whole family. Olympic Equestrian silver medallist Zara Tindall MBE, international polo superstar Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier, current Australian Polo captain Jack Archibald, his brother and former Australian captain Rob Archibald, the two best jockeys in the world Frankie Dettori and Hugh Bowman and Billy Slater – Rugby League legend and former trackwork jockey for Gai Waterhouse, along with wife Nicole – will be amongst those showcasing their talents during the four game event on Sunday 5 January at the stunning Doug Jennings Park on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Leading trainer Ciaron Maher, former Gold Coast Titans Captain Will Zillman and some of Australia’s best emerging polo talent including 17 year old school student/model/junior Australian polo player Anna Dowling will also be in the thick of the action. This year’s event will include an exclusive specially designed performance by Australian Outback Spectacular and a newly created ‘Kid’s Club’, with the Gold Coast Suns Kids Zone Inflatables, competitions,giveaways and miniature pony rides and so much more. Country music star on the rise, Mick Lindsay, will again keep the crowd singing and dancing well into the afternoon. With a Family Pass in General Admission just $50, Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page says Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo will be one of the best value outings on the Gold Coast this summer school holidays. “There’s a perception that polo is purely about the fashion and the champagne and while that’s certainly a fun part of the day, at our event there is something for all ages; we’ve made it affordable and relaxed, so that locals and holiday makers alike can come along and experience how much fun a family can have watching this thrilling sport. It is an action-packed day from start to finish. “One of my favourite memories from last year was looking across the ground at the end of a great day’s action; the players were dusty and relaxed; yachts were bobbing on the water in the distance; the band was playing; the adults were dancing and the kids were running around playing a game of touch footy with their hero Billy Slater – it really doesn’t get much better than that! “We’ve got a stellar line-up of players from Zara to Billy, Nacho and Delfi and this year’s best jockey in the world, Frankie Dettori joins the action to see if he can match it with Winx’s champion jockey Hugh Bowman. We really do bring together a mix of some of the best horse men and women from a range of equine disciplines, showcasing just how diverse this industry of ours is. “From the polo we move onto to the sensational early morning Thoroughbred gallop down the beach, the yearling sales commence from Wednesday, and then full steam ahead into The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday. It is a week with something for everyone to say the least and we just love delivering it for all to enjoy.” Billy Slater can’t wait to be back amongst the action. “My whole family had an absolute ball last year and we can’t wait to do it again. Having not spent much time on a horse l was quite nervous heading into the game last time but once I got out there I just wanted to keep playing – the atmosphere was amazing and the game was so fast paced,” Slater said. He’s particularly looking forward to matching up against his old foe Will Zillman. “Will’s a very savvy rider, he’s into the natural horsemanship and spends a lot of time on horseback. He’s also very competitive so it’s going to make for a very tough game!” Such has been the success of Magic Millions Polo since its inception in 2016 that inaugural major sponsor Pacific Fair has extended the partnership for a further three years. “We are proud to have partnered with the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo since its launch three years ago and to have helped it grow into a must attend event on the Gold Coast social calendar. The polo celebrates everything quintessential about a Gold Coast summer, great weather, friends, entertainment and of course a lot of fashion,” said Kate Halpin, Senior Marketing Manager, Pacific Fair. “We love that everyone can celebrate the start of the carnival together at the polo and we’re thrilled to be on board up for another three years as Naming Rights sponsor of the polo and as the Official Fashion Partners of the Magic Millions Carnival.” Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo is the first event of the action packed calendar for the 2020 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival. The full schedule can be found here. Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival was the perfect way to kick off the 2020 events calendar. “We support events that deliver a strong return for local businesses and support jobs on the Gold Coast – Magic Millions does just that,” she said. “The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival is one of Queensland’s premier racing event experiences, attracting thousands of visitors every year to the Gold Coast. “In 2019, The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday, Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo and Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sales injected $30 million into the local economy. That’s 33 per cent growth from 2018 – proving this event continues to grow from strength to strength.” Points to note: ・General Admission tickets are available for $35, Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery Enclosure for $100 and Pacific Fair Pavilion for $250. For all enquiries and ticket purchases, please visit www.magicmillionspolo.com.au ・Gates open at 11.30am with game times and teams as follows: |
| GAME 1 – 11.30AM 1. Catriona Murphy 2. Anna Dowling 3. Ashley Glennie 1. Sian Barnacle 2. Kerstie Allen 3. Phillipa Fitz-Henry GAME 2 – 12.20PM It’s Live! In Queensland 1. Billy Slater 2. Nicole Slater 3. Jessica Bott 4. Will White Australian Outback Spectacular 1. Will Zillman 2. Lizzie Jelfs 3. Emily Bosson 4. Ed Archibald GAME 3- 13.50PM Ferrari 1. Tom Magnier 2. Frankie Dettori 3. Katelyn Mallyon 4. Ciaron Maher Singapore Airlines 1. Tim Stakemire 2. Hugh Bowman 3. James McDonald 4. Tommy Berry GAME 4 – 15.40PM The Star Gold Coast 1. Zara Tindall 2. Rob Archibald 3. Jack Archibald Veuve Clicquot 1. Nacho Figueras 2. Delfina Blaquier 3. Alec White |
The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival and Raceday is a unique world class, thoroughbred racing and carnival experience, celebrated each year in January on Queensland’s Gold Coast. MAGIC MILLIONS Magic Millions is Australasia’s number one thoroughbred auction house with its headquarters on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Magic Millions holds the record for the highest grossing yearling sale in the Southern Hemisphere and conducts the third biggest breeding stock auction in the world. Uniquely combining thoroughbred sales and racing, Magic Millions is world famous for The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, Polo, Sale and Raceday held in January each year set against the stunning backdrop of Queensland’s Gold Coast. The Carnival includes the world’s richest incentive based Raceday and world first female ownership incentive, the Magic Millions Racing Women’s Bonus. Magic Millions conducts regular auctions at the Gold Coast as well as other locations in Australia including Adelaide, Launceston and Perth. The auction house is the number one sales source of black type winners in Australia – over the most recent racing season – including the two highest prizemoney earners in Australian racing history in Winx, the world record holder of Group One wins and global earnings – and Redzel, a multiple Group One winning sprinter and dual winner of The Everest. |
