Since 2022 the annual Magic Millions Carnival has hosted an elite show jumping event, combining the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast with Australia’s top riders and emerging talent.
On Sunday 11 January, 88 show jumpers from around Australia descended on Doug Jennings Park for a day of competition where over $1.56 million in prizemoney was on offer.
James Harron Bloodstock & Aveley Homes claims Senior Teams Competition
A total of 12 teams – sponsored by team ‘slot holders’ – took part in the Coolmore Australia & Peachester Lodge Senior Team Competition at this year’s event. Following a tightly fought contest that came down to time, it was team James Harron Bloodstock & Aveley Homes who claimed victory and pocketed the impressive $245,000 winners’ cheque.
The team was made up of co-captains Jamie Kermond riding Takapoto Tinka and Emma Smith riding Oaks Abracadabra, alongside Paige McBain riding Charlotta II and Tallara Cameron riding Cooley Down Under.
With the best three scores counting towards the team total, Jamie Kermond and Takapoto Tinka, Emma Smith and Oaks Abracadabra, and Paige McBain with Charlotta II all jumped clear to leave the team with a perfect scorecard of 0. Tallara Cameron riding Cooley Down Under also jumped impressively, dropping just one rail and accruing a couple of time faults to finish the round on 6.
Jamie Kermond’s win as co-captain follows his wife’s 2025 Gold Coast success; Jamie Winning-Kermond was the victorious captain last year as part of the Arrowfield Stud & Redback Boots team.
Jamie Winning-Kermond is currently in Ocala, Florida with Rachel Peel’s Tulara Wat Colblensky; the duo placed ninth in the $120,000 1.50m CSI3* Grand Prix at WEC Ocala Winter Spectacular II over the weekend!
Brisbane Racing Club finished a close second behind James Harron Bloodstock & Aveley Homes. Led by co-captains Clint Beresford (ES Dakota) and Ally Lamb (Eagle Rock) and joined by James Harvey (Yirrkala Celeste) and Samantha Dernee (Glenara Leonardo Z), the team also finished on 0 with three clear rounds to their name.
The deciding factor was time: Emma Smith and Oaks Abracadabra produced the quickest round across the two teams, with their lightning-fast result of 66.19 seconds. They were the only combination across the competition to complete their round in under 70 seconds, a remarkable effort!
Brisbane Racing Club’s quickest round went to Samantha Dernee and Glenara Leonardo Z with a time of 73.92 seconds.
Washpool Lodge placed third; Amber Fuller partnered Cadenza NZPH, William Wood rode Powerhouse Park Ego Roc, Frida Lindgren was aboard Wondaree Colleen, while Billy Raymont teamed up with Blue Balou PS.
Fourth place went to Peachester Lodge & It’s Equestrian, followed by Divas Beverages, Martin Collins Australia, The Australian Headliners, Edwards Saddleworld Toowoomba & John Walker & Associates, Godolphin Lifetime Care, El Caballo, Equine International Airfreight, and Coolmore Stud, Woppitt Bloodstock & Newton Thoroughbreds.
Valentina Hercus claims Junior Competition
Valentina Hercus claimed the Coolmore Australia & Peachester Lodge Junior Competition riding mare Cera Catalina, with the pair producing a double clear in the quickest time (35.33 seconds) to claim the $3,000 winner’s cheque. It was Valentina’s first time competing at Magic Millions.
Second place went to Elkee Lang McMahon riding Balmoral Lassandra (0/35.74), followed by James Hosie and AMS Ajaccio NZPH (0/36.31). Emily Lang McMahon also produced a double clear to round out the top four (0/36.58).
Full results from the Coolmore Australia & Peachester Lodge Junior Competition can be found here.
Queensland Off-The-Track Cup Final
The Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Cup Final celebrated retrained Thoroughbreds and their exciting new careers as showjumpers, showcasing their talent, versatility and life beyond the track.
With $100,000 in prizemoney on the line, the competition delivered a brilliant display – with Olivia Rolfe and Blue Flame (Outback Prince x Little Beautiful) ultimately claiming victory with a double clear and a time of 35.72 seconds. Blue Flame was bred in Queensland by Mr MJ Kelly.
The top five was completed by:
2. Lori James & Restauranter SHP (0/35.89)
Magic Albert (AUS) x Snaadee (USA)
Bred by: Ms M Johnston (NSW)
3. Shanae Bohr-Howell & Daunies Surprise (0/36.27)
Dawn Approach (IRE) x Testa Rossa (AUS)
Bred by: Rushton Park (VIC)
4. Kylie Zabel & Maverick 3MC (0/36.45)
Dream Ballad (AUS) x Fantastic Light (USA)
Bred by: Mr R Kerr, AB Timberlake (NSW)
5. Hugh Buchanan & Its Bandito (0/37.12)
Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Red Ransom (USA)
Bred by: Newhaven Park Stud (NSW)
Olympic equestrian Zara Tindall MBE – an ambassador at Magic Millions this year alongside husband Mike – took to the ring as an exhibition rider in the QOTT Final riding the beautiful grey, Rescoria (Testa Rossa x Big Brown), who was bred by none other than Gerry Harvey.
Full results from the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup Final can be found here.
Zara also enjoyed success in the Magic Millions Polo, taking out the Celebrity Polo Match trophy for team Pommery Champagne this year alongside Billy Slater and Ruki Baillieu. The Professional Polo Match saw a victory to team Kirin Hyoketsu (Ruki Baillieu, Will Gilmore and Rob Archibald).
