December 19, 2014 will be remembered as a ground breaking day for Australian racing after Racing Queensland and Magic Millions announced the country’s first ever $10 million raceday.
The Jeep Magic Millions Raceday on Saturday January 9, 2016 will become Australia’s richest racemeeting and ranked in the world’s top 10, as part of a seven-year partnership (2016-2022) to take the summer program to unprecedented heights with the Magic Millions Racing Queensland Summer Carnival.
Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox recognised the significance of the partnership and the immense support Racing Queensland is delivering to every facet of the thoroughbred industry from breeders, owners and trainers to buyers and vendors at Magic Millions sales.
“The phenomenal support and foresight of Racing Queensland, in concert with Magic Millions, has created the Magic Millions $10 Million raceday. The combined vision is a game-changer for Queensland racing, for the Gold Coast and for the Australian thoroughbred industry as a whole,” Mr Cox said.
“The partnership with Racing Queensland is long-term, which invigorates thoroughbred racing for the current generation of industry stakeholders, as well as creatingmomentum and motivationfor the next generation of Queenslanders and Australians committing to a thoroughbred industry career,” Mr Cox added.
Racing Queensland Chairman Kevin Dixon said the prizemoney boost would set the bar in Australian racing, attracting the best horses and the attention of the racing world.
“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,” Mr Dixon said.
“Over the past six months we have built a strong platform with base level and feature prizemoney increases and this partnership is the next phase in our vision to take Queensland racing to the world. Today’s announcement is just one part of an overall program to continually improve all three codes of racing in Queensland.”
“As part of the new partnership, the summer program will be reviewed to develop clear pathways for horses to what will essentially be our grand final on Magic Millions Raceday.
“Another clincher will be the addition of wild card entries into four $1 million races on Jeep Magic Millions Raceday, which will be granted to the 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.”
Mr Dixon said as part of the partnership, there would also be a one-off opportunity for older Magic Millions Graduates who were not previously registered for the series to register.
Minister for Racing Steve Dickson said Magic Millions was already a huge contributor to the Gold Coast economy but the new partnership would deliver a significant boost to 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.” Mr Dickson said.
“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?”
“The Newman LNP Government made a strong plan to reinvigorate the industry, and it’s clear that it’s working, with today’s news the latest in a string of racing successes, including the recent 30-year wagering deal. “The industry can continue to look to the future with confidence under a Newman LNP Government.”