-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RccVWXnoDg/f3ZLj5wWHMggifwanam3Kp89q2cyP4t0zJlf8j/JjOhMAkxxQGZV4
 +54Q4JZZw6gMHt84RG3axg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001093273-03-000022.txt : 20030903
<SEC-HEADER>0001093273-03-000022.hdr.sgml : 20030903
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030903111314
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001093273-03-000022
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030829
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030903

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAGNA ENTERTAINMENT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001093273
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-RACING, INCLUDING TRACK OPERATION [7948]
		IRS NUMBER:				980208374
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		337 MAGNA DRIVE
		STREET 2:		AURORA
		CITY:			ONTARIO CANADA
		STATE:			A6
		ZIP:			L4G 7K1
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9057262462

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		337 MAGNA DRIVE
		CITY:			AURORA
		STATE:			A6
		ZIP:			L4G 7K1

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MI ENTERTAINMENT CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19991105

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MI VENTURE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990813

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000749098
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES [3714]
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30578
		FILM NUMBER:		03877812

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		337 MAGNA DRIVE
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			AURORA, ONTARIO, CAN
		STATE:			A6
		ZIP:			L4G 7K1
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9057262462

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		337 MAGNA DRIVE
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			AURORA, ONTARIO, CAN
		STATE:			A6
		ZIP:			L4G 7K1
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-29</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001093273</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MAGNA ENTERTAINMENT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MECA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000749098</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>337 MAGNA DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AURORA, ONTARIO, CAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>A6</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>L4G 7K1</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ONTARIO, CANADA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Subordinate Voting Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4362328</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>53253064</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Subordinate Voting Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>53253064</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>81</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Subordinate Voting Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>81</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5212911</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Subordinate Voting Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5212911</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">MI Developments Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario, Canada (&quot;MID&quot;), was formed as a result of the amalgamation pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) of certain affiliates of the Reporting Person, a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario, Canada, which was effected in connection with a spin-off transaction in which the Reporting Person distributed to its shareholders one of MID's Class A Subordinate Voting Shares for every two of the Reporting Person's Class A Subordinate Voting Shares held by them and one of MID's Class B Shares for every two of the Reporting Person's Class B Shares held by them.  As a result of the amalgamation and spin-off transaction, which were effective on August 29, 2003, MID is now the beneficial owner of all the shares of the Issuer's capital stock that were beneficially owned by the Reporting Person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">By 1305291 Ontario Inc., which was a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reporting Person and one of the corporations amalgamated to form MID as described in footnote (1).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Each share of Class B Stock is convertible into one share of Class A Subordinate Voting Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Currently exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Not applicable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">By 1305272 Ontario Inc., which was a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reporting Person and one of the corporations amalgamated to form MID as described in footnote (1).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">By 1346457 Ontario Inc., which was an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reporting Person and, as a result of the transactions described in footnote (1), is currently a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MID.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/J. Brian Colburn, Executive V.P., Special Projects and Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
