Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater joined Argentinian polo star Nacho Figueras for the beach ride ahead of the barrier draw for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic and 3yo Guineas race on Saturday.

“The sight of horses running along the beach with the high rises in the background showcases our country to the world,” he said.

Despite the friendly rivalry between Slater and Figueras they both know they are often beaten on the beach by fellow Magic Millions ambassadors Zara Tindall, the King’s niece, and Figueras’s model wife Delfina Blaquier.

“Nacho and I have given up because the girls have got our measure,” he said. “We have to wear goggles because we are usually behind the girls and they are flicking sand up at us.”

Nacho was taking no prisoners. “Do you need a head start,” Nacho asked Billy. “Maybe 30 metres?”

Blaquier shrugged off her repeated success on the sand in previous years. “What do you expect,” she said. “Women are stronger.”

Tindall went onto the sand buoyant. “We are here to see just who the best ambassador is,” she joked.

But she was not joking in the saddle, powering home first with Blaquier hot on her heels. Figuears and Slater again trailing in their wake.

Next year fellow ambassador and Fast and Furious star Elsa Pataky promised to join the beach race. “Why not?” she said.

Magic MIllions co-owner Katie Page said the 10-day carnival packed with polo, showjumping, races and yearling sales last year pumped $52.75 million in direct economic benefit into the economy and filled 91,659 bed nights.

Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page said in the wake of the recent storms the event was more important than ever.

“People don’t realise just how much devastation there is,” she said.

“January is the most important time for tourism in this state and this event on the beach tells the world the Gold Coast is open for business.”

Page said the extraordinary international coverage was brought home last year when two horses briefly went walkabout before being returned unharmed.

“I had calls from Germany telling me I had horses on the autobahn,” she said. “The pictures from this event go right around the world.”

Gold Coast deputy mayor Donna Gates said the beach race was a unique way to showcase the Gold Coast to the world.

“The beach run is so unique to the Gold Coast, nowhere else in the world has horses running along the beach like this.

“The Magic Millions juggernaut injects millions of dollars into the economy and after a couple of major weather events and this gives everyone a chance to stop worrying for a little while,” she said.

Yearling sales

After the barrier draw for the The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2yo Classic and 3yo Guineas attention moved to the start of the yearling sales where more than 1400 thoroughbreds will go under the hammer this week.
They got off to a flying start with two yearlings from Yarraman Stud in Scone in NSW selling for more than $1 million.

Both were by champion stallion I Am Invincible.

A bay filly was snapped up for $1.2 million by Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan and a bay colt went under the hammer for $1.3 million to New Zealand bloodstock agent David Ellis.

Originally published as Magic Millions 2024: Gold Coast beach run ahead of barrier draw