The 2025 Magic Millions Carnival has commenced with a spectacular display of twilight action, headlined by the emergence of a new sprinting star and several emotional fairytale victories. The opening event of the carnival provided a lucrative platform for both established champions and rising stars, setting the stage for a massive week of racing and sales.
The headline act of the Saturday night programme was the $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight over 1100m, where the emerging sprinter Grafterburners maintained his unbeaten record as a three-year-old. The stunning son of Graff, who started as the $2.25 favourite, exploded away from his rivals in the final 200m of the slot race to secure a brilliant win. Champion jockey James McDonald provided a clinical performance, finding the box seat behind the leader and navigating an inside run when a gap closed at the top of the straight.
Grafterburners, who was bred in Queensland by Canning Downs, represented the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott slot in the race. Trainer Kelly Schweida praised the colt, noting that while his previous stable star Better Than Ready was a high-quality horse, this new star will do for now. McDonald also expressed his admiration for the horse, stating the colt is all quality and destined for the elite level. For those looking for the next generation, a lone yearling by Graff will be offered as Lot 862 during the upcoming Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Schweida’s successful night continued with the fairytale mare Miss Joelene, who stamped herself as one of the best in Queensland with back-to-back wins in the $500,000 TAB Magic Millions The Wave,. Following a win at the Sunshine Coast in 2025, she returned 12 months later to come from the second half of the field and defeat Encoder and Port Lockroy. Purchased for only $20,000, she has now earned over $1.4 million in prizemoney. Young jockey Ceejay Graham, who has now ridden the mare to three wins, thanked the owners for their loyalty,. Miss Joelene is expected to back up in the Queensland Magic Millions Subzero next week, where her earnings could reach $2 million.
Another emotional victory was recorded by Yellow Brick in the $1.5 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open. The $20,000 yearling purchase has now netted his connections more than $3.5 million after lumping 61kg to victory under James McDonald. Trainer Maddy Sears, who manages the six-year-old’s training at the Gold Coast, described the horse as her everything after a difficult few months following a badly broken leg. Yellow Brick is also expected to back up in a longer race next week.
In the $1 million TAB Magic Millions The Syndicate, Spywire secured a deserved win for trainer Ciaron Maher and a large ownership group,. After finishing third in the 2024 2YO Classic, the son of Trapeze Artist returned as a four-year-old to claim the lucrative prize under jockey Ethan Brown. Maher highlighted the social atmosphere of the Gold Coast event, noting how well Magic Millions welcomes owners. The trainer also indicated he would be inspecting Spywire’s half-brother, Lot 781, at the sale next week.
The Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO Plates provided opportunities for progressive types to shine,. Angela Jones guided Now Is The Hour to a tough victory in the $250,000 Scone Race Club division over 1300m. Despite fears she had been beaten in a photo finish, the Gollan-trained gelding held on by a margin of 0.02L,. Gollan, who celebrated his birthday with a treble, believes the horse can graduate to Stakes class in the next 12 months.
In the $250,000 Experience Gold Coast division over 1200m, Chris Munce continued his long association with the carnival through the mare Poster Girl. After winning several features as a jockey, Munce is now building a strong training record alongside his son Corey. Poster Girl, a $160,000 purchase, saw her earnings soar beyond $1 million with the win and is likely to back up in the Fillies and Mares race next Saturday,. The Munce team will also saddle up Zip Lock in the upcoming $3 million 2YO Classic.
The $250,000 Carbine Club Queensland Magic Millions Maiden Plate saw Spanish Treasure claim a handsome payday for trainer Tony Gollan and jockey Tommy Berry. Despite drawing an outside gate, the son of Pierata led the field and won comfortably by a length-and-a-half. Gollan is now considering a quick seven-day backup into the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas,. Berry, who will ride the favourite Ninja in the Guineas, expressed confidence in the horse’s ability over 1400m,.
This opening day of action has provided a perfect launchpad for the remainder of the 2025 Magic Millions Carnival, combining high-stakes racing with incredible stories of bargain purchases achieving elite success,.
