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The race will become part of the South Australian racing calendar

A new $120,000 race exclusively for three-year-olds and four-year-olds offered at Magic Millions yearling sales will become part of the South Australian racing calendar.

Racing SA and Magic Millions jointly unveiled the 3&4YO Classic, to be run over 1400 metres at Murray Bridge Racing Club from 2022.

The race will become an integral part of the new Magic Millions SA race day, to be held at Murray Bridge for the first time this Saturday, featuring the state’s richest juvenile race, the $202,250 Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic (1200m).

Racing SA CEO Nick Redin said the innovative 3&4YO Classic would expand the appeal of many yearlings that go through Magic Millions sales, and provide extra opportunities for owners to become involved with competitive and winning horses.

“We know that a significant number of two-year-old Magic Millions runners are bred for speed and run accordingly, but this new race promises to provide a different option for some horses, their owners and trainers,” Redin said.

“It gives incentive to buyers at the upcoming sale to look for horses that will get over further distances.

“It’s a win for breeders and a win for owners.”

The 2021 Adelaide Yearling Sale will be held on Tuesday-Wednesday, March 9-10.

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said the new race, a joint initiative of Magic Millions and Racing SA, further strengthens their collaboration.

“This new race, together with the introduction of the Magic Millions race day at Murray Bridge, reflects Magic Millions’ endorsement of recent funding boosts to the Racing Rewards SA scheme (formerly SABOIS), which rewards all those connected with qualified horses that run in designated Racing Rewards SA-designated races,” Bowditch said.

“Moving the 2YO Classic to its own dedicated race day has immediately upgraded the race’s status and now having this second race over 1400m especially for the older three-year-olds and four-year-olds – sold at Magic Million yearling sales – on the same day will only add further gloss to the meeting and make it a showcase event.

“It will also give the yearling sales in Adelaide another boost, which is important, because they play a crucial role in the industry’s health.

“The combined promotion of Racing Rewards SA and the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale in the week leading up to Adelaide Cup Day will prove a boon for the industry and amplify breeding and ownership in South Australia.”

The new Murray Bridge meeting is now a Racing Rewards SA Bonus Day, with the owners of the first Racing Rewards SA horse home in each race receiving a $10,000 voucher – a 50/50 split between Racing SA and Magic Millions – to be spent at the 2021 Adelaide Yearling Sale on an eligible Racing Rewards SA yearling.