Hollywood heavyweight Matt Damon has introduced a dose of A-list glamour to Sydney‘s greatest race day, stepping out at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse for the seventieth TAB Golden Slipper on Saturday.
The Good Will Searching and Bourne franchise star reduce a pointy determine on arrival, wearing a tailor-made go well with with a yellow tie and darkish sun shades as he made his means into the monitor earlier than being escorted to a non-public eating space.
Damon rapidly grew to become one of many standout names amongst a packed crowd, with hundreds flocking to Rosehill for the distinguished assembly, whereas Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis was additionally noticed trackside having fun with the motion with buddies.
However Damon was not simply there as a spectator.
The 53-year-old has quietly constructed a connection to Australian racing in recent times and holds part-ownership in racehorse Are You Kidding, skilled by Leah Gavranich, with fellow actor Daniel MacPherson additionally a part of the possession group.
The horse had been anticipated to run at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day earlier than being scratched earlier within the week, denying Damon the possibility to have a runner on one of many sport’s greatest phases.
Hollywood star Matt Damon attends Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens, including world celeb presence to Sydney’s greatest race meet
Damon arrives in go well with and sun shades earlier than being escorted to personal eating space amongst hundreds of racegoers
Damon is part-owner of racehorse Are You Kidding, which was scratched earlier within the week earlier than race day
It’s not the primary time the Hollywood star has skilled the highs of racing in Australia.
Damon tasted success in January final 12 months when his different horse, Dale, broke its maiden in Tamworth, giving the Oscar winner his first victory as an proprietor within the nation.
The three-year-old gelding, skilled by Paul Messara and Gavranich, had beforehand positioned twice earlier than lastly saluting, incomes greater than $30,000 in prize cash.
The horse’s title carries a private story.
Coach Messara revealed the weird backstory behind the title throughout an interview, explaining how the thought originated from a late-night name out of Los Angeles.
‘It is a bit of a protracted story actually,’ Messara mentioned.
‘It was a late night time over in LA and I get a cellphone name saying we have had this nice concept and we wish to purchase a horse, however the stipulation is it have to be referred to as Dale.’
‘The story goes that mainly Matt and his daughter bonded throughout her teenage years watching the film Step Brothers, starring the 2 characters Dale and Brennan.’
Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis and cricket character Grace Hayden had been additionally noticed trackside having fun with main race day environment with buddies at Rosehill Gardens
James McDonald breaks Group 1 report at Rosehill, surpassing Damien Oliver with a hundred and thirtieth victory in historic trip
Damon’s rising ties to Australian racing mirror his broader connection to the nation, the place he has spent prolonged durations together with his household and shaped shut friendships.
The actor usually stays in Byron Bay, the place his long-time good friend Chris Hemsworth is predicated, and has been a well-recognized face at native occasions, from AFL matches to the Ekka in Brisbane.
His connection to Australia started throughout a deeply private interval following the dying of his father, Kent Damon, in 2017.
‘After my dad died, we moved down there for 4 months and simply went and camped in every single place,’ Damon mentioned.
‘And simply … I feel as a result of possibly he had by no means been, and it simply felt like a spot to go to make reminiscences with my youngsters.’
The journeys have since develop into a yearly ritual for Damon, his spouse Luciana Barroso and their 4 daughters, with the household typically selecting to spend the American summer time in Australia.
‘Then yearly we might return, even again through the pandemic. We had been down there for about six months, and it is identical to a second dwelling to us,’ he mentioned.
‘We simply like it and we love the folks and all the things about it.’
‘We simply have so many buddies down there, actually. I imply 30, 40 folks. Household, buddies, simply so many individuals that we like to go see.’
Whereas Damon soaked up the environment at Rosehill, historical past was unfolding on the monitor.
Champion jockey James McDonald delivered a record-breaking efficiency, first equalling after which surpassing the Group 1 wins mark beforehand held by Damien Oliver.
McDonald introduced up his a hundred and thirtieth Group 1 victory aboard Autumn Boy, together with his spouse Katelyn Mallyon and their youngsters watching on trackside as he etched his title into the report books.
Talking moments after the milestone, McDonald mentioned: ‘I did not come to the races wanting to interrupt information. I wished to return and trip winners.’
‘It is by no means been entrance of thoughts – I got here right here and do a job and go dwelling pleased to my ladies.’
He added with a smile: ‘I will get to 200 – you watch.’
