A-lister Matt Damon has added some Hollywood spice to Sydney’s biggest race day, stepping out at Rosehill Gardens for the 70th TAB Golden Slipper on Saturday.
The star of Good Will Hunting and the Bourne movie franchise was dressed to the nines in an M.J. Bale suit with a yellow tie and designer sunglasses as he arrived ahead of the first race of the day before being escorted into a private dining area.
Fellow actor Luke Hemsworth joined him in a private area hosted by Arrowfield Stud owner John Messara and son Paul.
The 53-year-old has quietly built a connection to Australian racing, owning stakes in racehorse Are You Kidding, trained by Leah Gavranich.
The horse was expected to run at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day before being scratched earlier in the week.
Damon tasted success in Australian racing in January last year when his other horse, Dale, broke its maiden in Tamworth.
The three-year-old gelding, trained by Paul Messara and Gavranich, had previously placed twice before finally getting its turn in the winner’s circle, earning more than $30,000 in prize money.
Damon was one of thousands in attendance on Saturday as champion jockey James McDonald rode his way into the history books by eclipsing Damien Oliver’s record for the most Group 1 wins.
McDonald equalled the Group One win record in race five, winning on Aeliana before breaking the record steering Autumn Boy to victory in race six, his 130th Group One win and a new record.
He then added another Group 1 to his collection, steering Autumn Glow home in the following race.
