Gold Coast Races
Known for its sun, sand and surf, the Gold Coast is the ideal place to relax and experience the excitement of horse racing. Offering thoroughbred and harness racing, the Gold Coast has two major venues which specialise in both types of racing. The Gold Coast Turf Club is located in Bundall and is home to all Thoroughbred racing in the area whereas all the Harness Racing meetings occur at Border Park Raceway at Tweed Heads.
The Gold Coast racetrack offers weekly races on Saturdays including plenty of Class, Maiden, Set Weights, Fillies & Mares, Colts & Geldings and Age Specific Handicaps. The track has a circumference of 1885m and a 400m straight.
Throughout the year there are plenty of different carnivals on offer starting with the Magic Millions, held over 18 days in January. This annual event injects $90 million into the local economy and features 10 races.
The two major races of the day are worth a total of $3 million in prize money and are eligible only for those horses purchased at the Magic Millions sales.
Magic Millions 2YO Classic – Worth $2 million and is raced over a distance of 1200m.
Magic Millions 3YO Trophy – Worth $1 million and is raced over a distance of 1400m.
Stakes Races:
| Name | Prize Money | Distance | Category |
| Magic Millions Cup | $500,000 | 1400m | 3YO+ |
| Magic Millions Open Sprint | $250,000 | 1000m | 3YO+ |
| Magic Millions Stayers Cup | $250,000 | 1800m | 3YO+ |
| Magic Millions F&M Hcp | $200,000 | 1300m | Fillies & Mares Hcp |
| Magic Millions Maiden Plate | $100,000 | 1200m | 3YO+ |
| Magic Millions 2YO Plate | $100,000 | 1200m | 3YO+ |
| Magic Millions Restricted Class 6 | $100,000 | 1200m | 3YO+ |
| Magic Millions Country Cup | $100,000 | 1400m | 3YO+ |
The next major event held at the Gold Coast is the Prime Minister’s Cup Carnival held in May. This event features six major races starting with the Group 2 AD Hollindale Stakes. The day also offers five listed races including the Prime Minister’s Cup.
Featured Races:
| Name | Prize Money | Distance |
| AD Hollindale Stakes | $350,000 | 1800m weight for age |
| Prime Ministers Cup | $175,000 | 1300m Quality Hcp |
| Silk Stocking | $150,000 | 1200m |
| Gold Coast Guineas | $125,000 | 1200m |
| Gold Coast Bracelet | $125,000 | 1800m |
| Ken Russell Memorial | N/A | 1200m |
Each month, the Gold Coast Turf Club offers great race days specifically for ladies, students and members. The Gold Coast Turf Club also hosts various other race days including the Easter Carnival, the Gold Coast Stakes race day and the Gold Coast City Cup race day. This last event is held in August and is the biggest family day at the racecourse.
Harness racing is also a major event at the Gold Coast with the Queensland Pacing Championships taking place in October. This Grand Circuit event is a Group 1 race worth $200,000 in prize money. The other major event is the Queensland Harness Racing Festival also held in October. Tuesday and Thursday afternoon races are a regular occurrence and racing enthusiasts can be seen at Border Park throughout the week betting on plenty of quality races.
