Magic Millions announce two new races as prize-money boosted
The Magic Millions raceday is set to be enhanced next year with the introduction of two new races, along with an added investment of $1.5 million, taking the total prize-money pool to $11.75 million across the day.
Yesterday, the auction house – in conjunction with Racing Queensland – announced the now ten–race card will become the first in Australia to feature eight $1 million plus races following the addition of the $1m Magic Millions The Syndicate (1200m), as well as adding the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut (900m).
The Magic Millions The Syndicate will be run for $1 million for horses aged three-year-olds and up, creating the world’s largest ownership experience in the process.
To secure a start, horses must be owned by a minimum of 20 individual registered owners and/or syndicate members from its first race through to the running of The Syndicate.
The Magic Millions The Debut will be run for $500,000, restricted to first starters, and will become the richest two-year-old maiden in the world.
Despite the two new races, the usual Saturday night session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will still take place after the Magic Millions raceday.
In further changes, the Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m) will also double in prize-money from $250,000 to $500,000 and will relocate from the Aquis Wave raceday.
At the same time, the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden will be run as part of Aquis Wave raceday, providing almost $13.5 million in prize-money and bonuses across both Gold Coast meetings.
Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said the 2023 raceday expansion is designed to benefit all sectors of the industry including breeders, owners, trainers, syndicators, and participants at every level.
“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,” 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.”