Page: Spectacular beachside race an event we just could not scratch from the festival

THOUSANDS trotted along to the annual Magic Millions beachfront horse race on the Surfers Paradise foreshore – one event the organisers did not want to see scrapped.

Fans were also treated to a display by skydivers before the main beach race got under way.

Shortly after the spectacle, the trophy for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic horse race looming this Saturday was delivered from the air by the Surf Life Saving chopper to a boat below.

The trophy was handed to Magic Millions ambassador and NRL legend Billy Slater, who was has skin in this year’s sale with a colt up for auction.

Slater, an accomplished horse rider who took part in the beach gallop alongside champion jockeys, told the crowd ahead of the barrier draw, he was in the “front handful” in the race.

Magic Millions owner Gerry Harvey said the beach race “every year just gets a little better”.

Speaking just before the main beach run, his partner and Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page – who is credited with developing the Magic Millions festival and sales into a leading national event – said: “We had to not go ahead with a lot of events this year but the event that was sacrosanct to us was doing the barrier draw and having the race on the beach.

“All these years later (from the first beach race) you have a look at this event.

“It goes not only nationally but it goes around the world. It showcases the Gold Coast and Queensland and Australia at its best so we did everything possible to make sure this event goes forward.”

Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace said the Magic Millions was the jewel in the crown of racing events.

The beach function was capped off with the barrier draw for the $2 million 2YO Classic field, the feature race on the Magic Millions race day at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday.

The 3YO Guineas race draw was also done.

IT SHOWCASES THE GOLD COAST AND QUEENSLAND AND AUSTRALIA AT ITS BEST