| Commencing in 2021, the richest juvenile race in South Australia, the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic will become the centrepiece of a new feature South Australian race day – at Murray Bridge. |
Open to two-year-old horses sold at Magic Millions yearling sales, the $202,250 race was previously held on Adelaide Cup Day, but will be moved forward nine days to increase its prominence in the lead up to the annual Adelaide Yearling Sale and create another marquee, standalone meeting for the Murray Bridge Racing Club’s acclaimed Gifford Hill facility. The move reflects Magic Millions’ endorsement of recent funding boosts to the SA Breeders’ and Owners’ Incentive Scheme (SABOIS), which rewards all those connected with qualified horses that run in designated SABOIS races. Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said the changes would immediately elevate the status of the two-year-old Classic, while also facilitating better outcomes for South Australian breeders at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, held at its Morphettville sales complex across the two days immediately after the Adelaide Cup. “This is a brilliant outcome, not only for Magic Millions, but for the South Australian thoroughbred racing industry,” Mr Bowditch said. “Having our Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic as a standalone SABOIS Bonus Day meeting, held at a venue that is fast becoming a rising star among Australian racecourses, will boost both the race itself, and the yearling sales – which of course play a crucial role in the industry’s health. “The combined promotion of SABOIS and the Yearling Sale in the week leading up to Adelaide Cup Day will prove a boon for the industry and amplify breeding and ownership in South Australia.” Mr Bowditch said the new program replicates the successful WA program, which sees the Magic Millions race day staged just over a week before the Perth Yearling Sale. Key dates of the 2021 SA program: · Saturday, February 27 – Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic race day at Murray Bridge · Saturday, March 6 – Morphettville Parks meeting · Monday, March 8 – Adelaide Cup Day at Morphettville · Tuesday-Wednesday, March 9-10 – Adelaide Yearling Sale The new Murray Bridge meeting will become a SABOIS Bonus Day, with the owners of the first SABOIS horse home in each race receiving a $10,000 voucher – a 50/50 split between TRSA and Magic Millions – to be spent at the 2021 Adelaide Yearling Sale on an eligible SABOIS yearling. TRSA CEO Nick Redin welcomed the latest collaboration between Magic Millions and TRSA. “It’s important that Magic Millions and TRSA work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes such as this,” Mr Redin said. “This progressive and smart scheduling initiative is another example of what can be achieved.” As part of several programming changes to accommodate the Magic Millions switch, Mr Redin said the Cinderella Stakes, a 1050m Listed event for two-year-olds, would be moved from February 27 to Adelaide Cup Day, ensuring the Cup Day program retained its own feature juvenile event. “The Adelaide Cup will always be an iconic event on the South Australian and Australian racing calendar and the addition of the Morphettville Guineas to Adelaide Cup Day – as previously announced – will round out an exceptional day of black type racing,” he said. Other scheduling changes: • Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) moved from February 27 to February 20 • Listed Birthday Cup (2000m) moved from February 13 to February 6. TRSA release |
