| In a first for Australian Thoroughbred Racing, the inaugural Magic Millions Gold Twilight Racemeeting will be broadcast live in prime time on Channel 7, as well as 7plus Sport. |
| Today, Magic Millions and the Seven Network confirmed a commitment to broadcast the inaugural Magic Millions Gold twilight racemeeting live from the Gold Coast Turf Club in Queensland on Saturday, January 4, 2025. It will be the first time the network has broadcast thoroughbred racing on Channel 7 in prime time. Australia’s pre-eminent sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, who leads the 7Racing team said: “Wrapped around the world-famous yearling sale, Magic Millions is the social and sporting destination of the summer and the excitement builds with two racemeetings worth more than $20 million. “The twilight running of the Magic Millions ‘Gold’ meeting will be a brilliant addition to an already spectacular program on and off the track – and a great showcase for Queensland and Australian racing.” Seven is projecting strong audience growth by going from day-time to prime time viewing. The introduction of the Magic Millions Gold live broadcast will combine with The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday. It will be a monster day on Seven and 7plus Sport, starting with Sunrise (Australia’s #1 breakfast program), then the second day of the Pink Test between Australia and India live from the SCG and 7NEWS (Australia’s #1 news) live at 6.00pm followed by the prime-time coverage of Magic Millions Gold. On 7TWO race fans can enjoy all the action from both Randwick and Geelong and the early races from the Gold Coast, providing the perfect support racing program to launch into the feature races come prime time. Co-owner Katie Page Harvey, “It is hard to imagine what this could mean for the sport of horse racing. Magic Millions Gold racing for the first time under lights, broadcast live, in part in prime time, on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport. “Picture it. The Gold Coast sunset, high-calibre horse racing vying for over $6 Million in prizemoney over 10 races. The trainers, the jockeys, the owners have been training and working in the lead up to January 4 to ensure their beloved thoroughbreds are ready to race. The crowd trackside and now the audience nationally can all hold our breath together. “It is hard to describe the exhilaration of watching your horse win, but this racemeeting will have an extra entertainment x-factor never seen before in Australian free-to-air racing. If you aren’t on the Gold Coast you will still know what it feels like to watch the horses chase the track as the sun sets – wherever you are in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. “The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday – celebrating 37 years in 2024 – was the 4th most viewed racing coverage on Seven in 2024. The combined prizemoney pool over the two consecutive Saturdays of racing is an extraordinary $20.55 Million. How many more people will be watching the new addition to the Magic Millions racing calendar – Magic Millions Gold? We will find out on Saturday, January 4!” “The Magic Millions is the crowning jewel in the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival and remains a bucket list item for racing fans here and abroad,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said. “The reimagined Gold meeting has established itself as the perfect lead into the famous raceday a week later, headlined this year by the inaugural $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight slot race for three-year-olds. “The glitz and the glamour of Magic Millions under lights being broadcast into free-to-air prime time is a significant boost for the sport, showcasing one of the state’s richest racemeetings to millions across the nation.” The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival is asking the Gold Coast to get involved in the entertainment line-up for Magic Millions Gold. Adding to the introduction of new events – Magic Millions is bringing Karaoke track-side for the first time on Saturday January 4. Magic Millions Karaoke co-host Mike Tindall welcomed his favourite late-night pastime to the Magic Millions calendar. “Katie and Gerry really know what it takes to bring the party. For years the Magic Millions ambassador family have been celebrating their annual Gold Coast reunion with a Karaoke night at The Star Gold Coast. “We are taking our Magic Millions ambassador Karaoke celebration to the Gold Coast Turf Club for Magic Millions Gold twilight meeting on Saturday January 4. Our talent will be on show in the broad daylight – and if you live on the Gold Coast your singing talent can join our party. “Joining me on the Karaoke hosting mike will be Nic Slater, whose voice rivals mine for Karaoke Gold. The Magic Millions Ambassador family reluctantly admit we are the singing talent in our tight group, but The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival gives us all a chance to celebrate the sport and people we love and at the heart of it all is our love of horses. “At the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping Nacho Figueras and Delfi Blaquier are the stand-out talents on the Polo field and I have to admit, Delfi always takes the lead in the Surfers Paradise beach gallop on the morning of Barrier Draw. Zara and Billy remind us every year why they represented their countries in their respective sports – their talent and hard work is only surpassed by their competitive streaks. Magic Millions Ambassador, Nicole Slater added, “Mike and I are counting down the days until we debut our Karaoke talents at the Magic Millions Gold races. We get to judge the finalists of the Magic Millions Karaoke and if we get the chance we will give you a glimpse into one of our Ambassador Karaoke nights, with a rendition of one of our favourite duets. “Hot Tomato will help find the Gold Coast’s hidden karaoke stars with the call out for entries due to open on Monday, December 16, 2024. If you want to join us on January 4 for Magic Millions Gold and Karaoke listen for how to enter.” Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch welcomed the new Magic Millions Gold racemeeting and Magic Millions Karaoke to the 2025 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions calendar of sales, racing and equine events. “Every year The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival gives you another reason to visit the Gold Coast and Queensland in January. “Like everyone at Magic Millions, my passion is with the horses and the first sign of the excitement that is to come is the arrival of the yearlings to the Magic Millions Sales complex in Bundall. Over the last days of 2024 and the first days of 2025, the sales complex will be alive 24/7 with the care and attention of over 1400 yearlings in anticipation of the Magic Millions Gold Coast January Yearling Sale for 2025 starting immediately after The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions beach gallop and Barrier Draw on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. “Everyone is welcome to come and witness the excitement of the Magic Millions auctions that will run across the four days through until late on Friday, January 10, 2025 for the Super Session. These are the best days and a chance to get a deeper understanding of the Australian thoroughbred industry, the devotion the studs and staff have for their horses and the competition in the auction ring to be the owner of the next Knight’s Choice or Winx. “Every year, we end with a sensational day of thoroughbred horse racing with The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday on Saturday, January 11. The Gold Coast Turf Club takes you up close to the track, so the action on the track is palpable. It is also the best day to catch up with friends from all over Australia and from around the world who come together in Queensland every year for the 2025 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.” The Star Gold Coast CEO Mark Mackay said next year’s carnival was shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with The Star Gold Coast again being the go-to destination for off-track celebrations and fun. “January is always a time of excitement on the Gold Coast, as visitors come to soak up the Carnival glamour and enjoy summer in style,” said Mr Mackay. “The Star Gold Coast is gearing up to give both locals and visitors an unforgettable two weeks of action and entertainment, including a mouthwatering menu available across the resort that showcases exceptional Queensland produce, a wealth of luxury accommodation and experiences to help our guests create memorable connections.” Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate summarised the excitement of the events to come, “With the Barrier Draw on the beach, Polo & Showjumping by the Broadwater, the Yearling Sale and the iconic summer Magic Millions Raceday – the Carnival is already Australia’s greatest equine festival. With the addition of twilight racing this great event keeps getting better each year. We look forward to welcoming all visitors to The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival in January.” View the 2025 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival Calendar here. |
