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Renowned actor Matt Damon added a touch of Hollywood glamour to Sydney’s premier race day at the 70th TAB Golden Slipper event held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Saturday.
The star of Good Will Hunting and the Bourne series arrived looking dapper in a well-fitted suit, complemented by a yellow tie and dark sunglasses. Upon his arrival, he was guided to a private dining area, capturing the attention of onlookers.
Among the bustling crowd, Damon stood out as a major celebrity presence. Thousands gathered at Rosehill for the celebrated event, which also saw Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis enjoying the day with friends by the track.
At 53, Damon has quietly developed a connection to the Australian racing scene. He holds a stake in the racehorse Are You Kidding, trained by Leah Gavranich, alongside fellow actor Daniel MacPherson.
Although Are You Kidding was anticipated to compete at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, the horse was withdrawn earlier in the week, leaving Damon without an entrant in one of horse racing’s most prestigious events.
Hollywood star Matt Damon attends Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens, adding global celebrity presence to Sydney’s biggest race meet
Damon arrives in suit and sunglasses before being escorted to private dining area among thousands of racegoers
Damon is part-owner of racehorse Are You Kidding, which was scratched earlier in the week before race day
It is not the first time the Hollywood star has experienced the highs of racing in Australia.
Damon tasted success in January last year when his other horse, Dale, broke its maiden in Tamworth, giving the Oscar winner his first victory as an owner in the country.
The three-year-old gelding, trained by Paul Messara and Gavranich, had previously placed twice before finally saluting, earning more than $30,000 in prize money.
The horse’s name carries a personal story.
Trainer Messara revealed the unusual backstory behind the name during an interview, explaining how the idea originated from a late-night call out of Los Angeles.
‘It’s a bit of a long story really,’ Messara said.
‘It was a late night over in LA and I get a phone call saying we’ve had this great idea and we want to buy a horse, but the stipulation is it must be called Dale.’
‘The story goes that basically Matt and his daughter bonded during her teenage years watching the movie Step Brothers, starring the two characters Dale and Brennan.’
Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis and cricket personality Grace Hayden were also spotted trackside enjoying major race day atmosphere with friends at Rosehill Gardens
James McDonald breaks Group 1 record at Rosehill, surpassing Damien Oliver with 130th victory in historic ride
Damon’s growing ties to Australian racing mirror his broader connection to the country, where he has spent extended periods with his family and formed close friendships.
The actor regularly stays in Byron Bay, where his long-time friend Chris Hemsworth is based, and has been a familiar face at local events, from AFL matches to the Ekka in Brisbane.
His connection to Australia began during a deeply personal period following the death of his father, Kent Damon, in 2017.
‘After my dad died, we moved down there for four months and just went and camped all over the place,’ Damon said.
‘And just … I think because maybe he had never been, and it just felt like a place to go to make memories with my kids.’
The trips have since become a yearly ritual for Damon, his wife Luciana Barroso and their four daughters, with the family often choosing to spend the American summer in Australia.
‘Then every year we would return, even back during the pandemic. We were down there for about six months, and it’s just like a second home to us,’ he said.
‘We just love it and we love the people and everything about it.’
‘We just have so many friends down there, honestly. I mean 30, 40 people. Family, friends, just so many people that we love to go see.’
While Damon soaked up the atmosphere at Rosehill, history was unfolding on the track.
Champion jockey James McDonald delivered a record-breaking performance, first equalling and then surpassing the Group 1 wins mark previously held by Damien Oliver.
McDonald brought up his 130th Group 1 victory aboard Autumn Boy, with his wife Katelyn Mallyon and their children watching on trackside as he etched his name into the record books.
Speaking moments after the milestone, McDonald said: ‘I didn’t come to the races wanting to break records. I wanted to come and ride winners.’
‘It’s never been front of mind – I came here and do a job and go home happy to my girls.’
He added with a smile: ‘I’ll get to 200 – you watch.’