Magic Millions and TAB today announced a five-year renewal of their partnership with the launch of the inaugural Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards and Dinner for the 2024 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.

The Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards will recognise the outstanding contribution of women with the winners of the Magic Millions Racing Women Hall of Fame Award and the 2024 Magic Millions Racing Women National Racing Woman of the Year Award at a celebratory dinner on Saturday, January 6, 2024.

Magic Millions proudly introduced the world-first Magic Millions Racing Women’s Bonus in 2012 to promote and incentivise racehorse ownership amongst women, which has resulted in the exponential increase in first time female ownership every year, year-on-year – a total of 1,861 wholly female owned horses, with more than 52% of registrations containing first time owners over the last 12 years.

Magic Millions co-owner and Magic Millions Racing Women (MMRW) founder, Katie Page-Harvey said, “The establishment of the Magic Millions Racing Women Achievement Awards supported by TAB is a natural extension of the original Magic Millions Racing Women’s Bonus. The recognition of the role women play in our industry has always been the fundamental premise and purpose of the initiative.

“We now have a national platform to formally acknowledge the contribution of women who are responsible for the ongoing success and innovation of our vital industry. From the heroes who are household names to the heroes at the grassroots, these women share a universal quality – the love of the horse. The stories that come from this shared passion for the thoroughbred is what inspires us and is the bedrock of the industry.

“To put the contribution of these women in context, it is important we highlight the fundamental role the Australian thoroughbred industry plays in the Australian economy. The industry is substantial in terms of financial contribution, delivering over $9 billion annually in direct and indirect economic benefit and with over 160,000 Australians employed nationally in roles that rely on a robust thoroughbred industry.

“Women are at the heart of this industry that is a cornerstone of our economy, hence why the launch of our Hall of Fame and National Racing Woman of the Year awards is timely. It will be a source of enormous inspiration to review all the nominations and a near impossibility to decide on the winners – the depth of talent and the scale of the individual impact is so substantial. I am just grateful I am on a panel with such accomplished women. Each year we will add awards and change the criteria to ensure that the MMRW spotlight does justice to the women in our industry.

“We welcome and truly appreciate the partnership renewal with TAB. In particular we truly appreciate TAB’s support and five-year commitment to bringing greater national awareness to the success and achievements of women in the thoroughbred industry,” Katie Page-Harvey added.

Tabcorp’s Chief Customer Officer Jenni Barnett said, “The extension of TAB’s wagering partnership with Magic Millions through until 2028 is another example of our long-standing commitment to the best race day in Queensland and the impact that Magic Millions has within the racing industry through their sales and initiatives.

“As Australia’s only wagering and media company, we are extremely proud to support the Magic Millions Racing Women’s initiative, which aligns with TAB and SKY Racing’s ongoing advocacy and promotion of female participation across all roles and all codes of racing.

“These Achievement Awards and Dinner supported by TAB on the Gold Coast will become another prominent part of the iconic The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival that has proven to be as successful off the track as it has on it.

“We hope TAB’s involvement in the scholarship program and Achievement Awards can help inspire and encourage female participation and one day result in a future Racing Woman of the Year award winner and even a Hall of Fame inductee.

“Racing on the Gold Coast continues to go from strength to strength on the back of bold plans like these and we look forward to building on our successful partnership with the Magic Millions team,” Jenni Barnett added.

The Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards

January 2024 will mark the first year of the new annual Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards in two foundation categories; the 2024 Hall of Fame Award and the 2024 National Racing Woman of the Year Award, with the announcement of the winners at the Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards dinner on Saturday, January 6 2024 on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The MMRW supported by TAB Achievement Awards Judging Panel

Katie Page-Harvey     Magic Millions co-owner & MM Racing Women founder
Zara Tindall MBE      Patron, Magic Millions Racing Women
Jenni Barnett              Chief Customer Officer, Tabcorp
Hayleigh Attard          Racing Producer, Tabcorp
Kiaarn Dickens           Presenter, SKY Racing

The winner of the foundation Hall of Fame Award, recognising outstanding long-term (20 years plus) contribution to the Australian thoroughbred industry will be invited to be a permanent member of the Judging Panel alongside Magic Millions and TAB representatives.

The winner of the 2024 National Racing Woman of the Year Award, recognising exceptional industry contribution at a national level over the last twelve months, will receive a $50,000 Magic Millions Racing Women Scholarship from TAB.

Three finalists in both Award categories will be announced in mid December. The finalists for the 2024 National Racing Woman of the Year Award will be asked by the Judging Panel to make a submission on how they will use the $50,000 Scholarship from TAB to benefit the thoroughbred industry if successful. The submissions will be assessed by the Panel to determine the winner of this Award.

From 2025 and annually thereafter, the Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards will recognise female participants in the following five national categories, with each winner receiving a $10,000 Magic Millions Racing Women Scholarship from TAB.

Racing Woman of the Year: Queensland; Racing Woman of the Year: NSW & ACT; Racing Woman of the Year: Victoria; Racing Woman of the Year: Tasmania & South Australia; Racing Woman of the Year: WA & NT.

In acknowledging that every role in our industry provides an important contribution, female participants from any sector of the thoroughbred industry, and at any stage of their career, will be eligible to nominate.

Nominations for the 2024 edition of the Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards close at midnight (AEST) on Friday 8 December 2023. The online nomination form and terms and conditions are available at www.magicmillions.com.au.