Mike Tindall joked that backing his wife Zara Tindall was the “safest” option as he spoke candidly about the competitive streak behind the Magic Millions Beach Run.
The interview took place just hours before Zara thundered down the sand on Australia’s Gold Coast.
The former England rugby star appeared in a light-hearted Instagram chat shared by The Star Gold Coast on the evening prior to the event.
The 47-year-old was quizzed about racing, rivalry and which ambassador he would be supporting when the horses lined up at dawn.
During the chat, hosted by Australian actor Lincoln Lewis, Mike was first asked what his racehorse’s name would be if it reflected his personality.
Laughing, he replied simply: “Dashing,” prompting both men to burst into laughter.
The conversation then turned to the following morning’s Beach Run at Kurrawa Beach, part of the build-up to the Magic Millions Carnival.
Asked who he would be backing, Mike admitted the ambassador run was far from a friendly canter.
Mike Tindall jokes that backing Zara Tindall is ‘safest’ option in candid admission
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INSTAGRAM: THE STAR GOLD COAST
“Look, it gets competitive, I’m not even going to lie about it,” he said.
“I think there’ll be some early nights — not by me obviously, I’m here for the long haul — but it gets very competitive.”
He added, with a grin: “I’ll always back my wife because it hurts less if I do, so…”
The comment prompted more laughter before he clarified: “No, I don’t, she’s very kind… I’ll always back the wife.
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Zara Tindall racing in the Beach Run at the Magic Millions Festival
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INSTAGRAM: MIKE TINDALL
“She’s very competitive, but I know Billy wants to win, and I know Nacho wants to win it once. So I’m going to stick with my wife because it’s safest.”
The remarks proved well-timed. Just hours later, Zara took centre stage during the iconic sunrise Beach Run, racing along the shoreline as part of the Magic Millions Barrier Draw at Kurrawa Beach.
The event, which is free and open to the public, featured a series of early-morning gallops before culminating in a Magic Millions Ambassador Run.
Zara lined up alongside fellow ambassadors, including rugby league legend Billy Slater, Argentinian polo star Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier.
Mike Tindall burst out laughing with Lincoln Lewis during the interview
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INSTAGRAM: THE STAR GOLD COAST
Mike later shared footage from the beach run on his Instagram story before posting an image of Zara in full flight, captioned enthusiastically: “BEACH RUN!!!!”
For Zara, the appearance was a natural fit. The King’s niece is a former world champion eventer and Olympic silver medallist who has long been associated with Magic Millions and remains one of the carnival’s most recognisable ambassadors.
The Beach Run forms part of the official lead-in to Magic Millions Raceday, with barriers drawn after the final gallop for the $3million (£1.4million) TAB Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the $3million (£1.4million) Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, both set to take place later in the week.