Pick of the Pics

We asked our photographers to submit their favourite Magic Millions related images and here are the standouts.

Bronwen Healy, The Image is Everything

“Choosing an all time favourite Magic Millions related photograph is very difficult. Tempting as it was to select a Winx or Imperatriz photo, I settled on an image I took during the 2018 Beach Run. It’s always a busy, crowded event with many photographers and officials the length of the beach and the weather conditions are rarely easy. This particular year my brief was capturing the field ‘head on’. The group of horses was a nice size and Hugh Bowman, who led the charge, came directly towards me, straight as an arrow. It was so fantastic. We actually liked this image better than any of the ones where he was carrying the Commonwealth Game’s Baton, and it’s a quintessentially Hugh salute. Ps - thanks Hugh for riding such a fabulous straight line, so cool! It was before the rules changed as we now have to stand miles away. I always get a bit of a buzz seeing it adorning the many flags along the beach Esplanade as well as along the main highway. The image also ran on the front cover of the 2019 MM Magazine”.

Darren Tindale, The Image is Everything

“Winx ridden by Hugh Bowman crossing the finish line to win their 25th consecutive race (18 Group 1s) in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick Sydney on 14 April 2018.

The image has captured the mare in a balanced stride, Bowman celebrating with the usual fist pump. Maybe not one his more exuberant salutes. What makes this image standout from many of the under the rails shots captured is the light, beautifully rimming the outline of horse and jockey as they record yet another.

There is an element of luck (or good planning) I’m not sure which. So often the finish can be right on top of your remote camera and out of focus, the light conditions can be unfavourable - especially with many of the feature races being so late in the day.

On this occasion Winx and Bowman rode in the near perfect spot. The light is exquisite, the image is sharp, the stride of the horse is balanced and Bowman complements all these factors with a modest celebration. PS let’s not forget the grandstand is full with many punters standing and applauding the champion mare.”

Simon Merritt, Western Racepix

“I’ve always liked this photo for something different, makes a nice change from the usual race finish photos of my day-to-day work. It’s from the 1st ever afternoon sales day session at the new Swan Valley sales complex, before the auditorium was built. I had no idea how the lighting as going to work so was just moving around trying different things, and then fluked this one. Being trying to get something similar ever since with no luck haha!"

Katrina Partridge

“It’s actually impossible to pinpoint a favourite sale-related photo after 15 years photographing at Magic Millions; where do you even start with (literally) a million+ photos? There are so many standout and million dollar-plus horses, every sale generates so much emotion both in the lead-up, when the gavel comes down, and when those horses hit the track, and there are endless stories you’re chasing with your lens concerning both people and thoroughbreds. So I had to stand back and say ‘what actually makes this sale unique for me as a photographer and what is the first thing I think about when I think of January and May. That iconic Gold Coast skyline and the weather was what came to mind’.”

Sarah Ebbett

Before the barrier draw commences the horses are brought down to the shoreline to get used to their surroundings. If the weather is nice then we get incredible sunrises which is a photographer’s dream. Seeing the horses getting used to the waves and then relaxing and enjoying themselves is why this image is one of my favourites.

Makoto Kaneko, The Rising Sun Photography

“It was my very first MM raceday for me and I was looking for a spot and an angle away from everyone else and I landed in this area where there is a moment where horses would go through this big MM sign. I particularly like this one because it shows that Storm Boy was far in front of the others enough that he’s the only one in the subframe of the sign and in a good stride.”

Michael McInally

“This image depicts the emotions of the connections of every horse who go through the sales ring at Magic Millions. It shows the love, dedication and passion involved in being a part of the horse from the beginning of their life until they move on to their next big chapter. In this picture Sunlight had just broken the all-time highest Sale record for a mare at Magic Millions and Sarah Rutten was there for every step of her journey.’’

Bruno Cannatelli, Ultimate Racing Photos

“As the sun sets on the racing career of one of our greatest ever turf champions, this image of the great Winx, after her final race, the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, being given hero status by the tens of thousands of adoring fans packing the Randwick grandstand, symbolizes what a great horse does for the Racing Industry and how she won the hearts of all who were present that day”

Sharon Chapman, Fast Track Photography

“The morning after Winx’s 3rd Cox Plate. I knew the “money shot” was Winx and the city skyline, but I had to venture out way too deep to be on the other side of her, especially for a 5 foot nothing photographer, so it was on tippy toes, trying not to drown myself or the camera. We survived, but my car keys in my pocket didn’t, which resulted in being towed home 93kms to get my spare key! But hey, I got the shot and it remains one of my most treasured photos.”