It’s at this time of year when grey skies descend on Gloucestershire, England – as they have for The Weekly’s exclusive photo shoot with Zara and Mike Tindall – that the couple start to get that familiar tingle of delight. They know that in a few weeks’ time they will be swapping Aston Farm, their home on Zara’s mother Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate, for days basking in the Gold Coast sunshine, hanging out with friends and revelling in the passion and fun of The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.
“It’s such an easy thing to be involved with,” says Zara, grinning.
In 2024 she celebrates her 12th year as the horse carnival’s ambassador and she can’t wait. This uniquely Australian festival holds a very special place in her heart. It’s not just because she gets to enjoy an Aussie summer every year and play polo against her very dashing best friend, Nacho Figueras, but because as the event grows, it is opening up the world of horses that has been her life’s passion to a whole new audience.
“It’s expanded hugely,” explains Zara. “We’ve got more ambassadors on board now – including Elsa Pataky [model/actress wife of Chris Hemsworth] – and [Magic Millions Racing Women founder] Katie Page-Harvey’s got lots of things going on with the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping and all those equestrian disciplines running alongside the thoroughbred auctions and race meet.
“I think the numbers of women who have got involved and have been coming back to the sales since the beginning has been incredible. It’s an amazing journey from where it started. And for us it’s been a really fun ride.”
Katie is CEO of retail giant Harvey Norman and
