International jockey Frankie Dettori will be a special guest at the next Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast.
Dettori claimed his 12th Group One win of the northern hemisphere season on Sunday aboard the Martyn Meade-trained Advertise in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
He is the regular partner of John Gosden's stable stars Enable and Stradivarius.
As well as riding at the $10 million Magic Millions day, January 11, Dettori's schedule will include duties as captain of Team Ferrari against a team containing Australian champion jockey Hugh Bowman at the Pacific Fair Polo tournament on January 5.
“My plan is to secure a ride in the main race at Magic Millions, and whilst I am coming out for the whole experience, what better way to start the carnival week than trying my hand at polo, playing against none other than Australia's Hugh Bowman,” Dettori said.
“I'll be trying to get some practice in ahead of Magic Millions. My brother-in-law plays polo so I'll be after some tips.
“The competitive side of me wants to make sure I can try and match it with Hugh on the polo field for sure!”.
Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page Harvey says the involvement of Dettori will help take the polo tournament to another level.
“Frankie Dettori is the best, most in-demand jockey in the world,” she said.
“He embodies racing – ultimate athlete, extraordinary horseman with a world-renowned sense of fun.
“Christmas and early January is his time to lie on a beach and take a well-earned break.
“But I had other ideas. Anyone who knows me and is close to Magic Millions knew I wanted Frankie for Magic Millions 2020.”
Queensland's Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said she looked forward to welcoming Dettori to the Gold Coast.
“Magic Millions is an international event that helps to boost the profile of the Gold Coast throughout the world,” she said.