Karaka Million
The Karaka Million refers to two major New Zealand horse races for young horses - the original Karaka Million for two-year-old (2YO) horses and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic that started in 2018. Held at Ellerslie Racecourse, they are New Zealand's richest races, with a stake of NZ$1,000,000 each. The races are restricted to horses sold through the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales held at Karaka.[1] The two $1,000,000 races are held on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.[2]
Restricted Listed race | |
Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
---|---|
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Website | www |
Race information | |
Distance | 1200m (2YO), 1600m (3YO) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | right-handed |
Qualification | Registered two-year-olds or three-year-olds, respectively |
Weight | Handicap |
Purse | NZ$1 million |
History
The 2YO race was run for the first time in 2008, replacing a similar race held at Te Rapa. Up to 2017, horses eligible for the Karaka Million could also be entered in an associated race, the Karaka Three Year Old Mile over 1600m (NZ$200,000), in the following year. However, from 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock introduced a second Magic Million $1,000,000 race for three-year-olds.
Whereas a usual New Zealand race meeting may start before 1 pm, have up to 10 races, and finish before 6 pm the Karaka Million race meeting is a twilight meeting. For example, 2023 had a six-race card:
- 4:09 pm - the Karaka Cup, 2200m open handicap for a stake of $120,000
- 4:48 pm - the Group 2 Westbury Classic, 1400m set weights + penalties for fillies and mares for $180,000
- 5:28 pm - the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy, 1200m 3YO set weight + penalties for $130,000
- 6:08 pm - the listed Karaka Million 2YO, 1200m set weight for $1,000,000
- 6:48 pm - the Group 3 Concorde Handicap, 1200m Open Handicap for $130,000
- 7:28 pm - the listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 1600m set weight for $1,000,000
Since 2018, the "Boys Get Paid" Facebook group have organized a large gathering of hundreds of members at the Karaka Million meeting with a punting syndicate delivering what are believed to be the largest bets on New Zealand races.[3][4]
Winners of the Karaka Million 2YO
These are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 2YO race:
Year |
Winner |
Sire |
Dam |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
Second |
Third |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 [5] | Tokyo Tycoon | Satono Aladdin | All About The Coin (by Starcraft) | Craig Zackey | Mark Walker | 1:10.04 (Pukekohe) | Ethereal Star | Trobriand |
2022 [6] | Dynastic | Almanzor | Meir (Volksraad) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | 1:09.60 | Wolverine | Fellini |
2021 [7] | On The Bubbles | Brazen Beau | More Bubbles (Sebring) | Jonathan Parkes | Jamie Richards | 1:10.70 | Sneaky Shark | Avonallo |
2020 [8] | Cool Aza Beel | Savabeel | Cool ‘N’ Sassy (Testa Rossa) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | 1:10.57 | Play That Song | Taroni |
2019 [9] | Probabeel[10] | Savabeel | Far Fetched (Pins) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | 1:09.90 | Aotea Lad | Appellant |
2018 [11] | Avantage[12] | Fastnet Rock | Asavant (Zabeel) | Opie Bosson | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | 1:10.54 | Al Hasa | Bocce |
2017 [13] | Melody Belle[14] | Commands | Meleka Belle (Iffraaj) | Opie Bosson | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | 1:10.95 | Hasahalo | Felton Road |
2016 [15] | Xiong Feng[16] | Iffraaj | Stray (Tale of the Cat) | Danielle Johnson | Stephen McKee | 1:09.68 | Showmeya moneyhoney | Kingsman |
2015 [17] | Hardline[18] | Showcasing | Midnight Breaker (Housebuster) | Damian Browne | Liam Birchley | 1:10.64 | Selfie | Dal Cielo |
2014 [19] | Vespa[20] | Elusive City | Miss Avalon (Fantastic Light) | Mark Du Plessis | Johno Benner | 1:12.07 | Riding Shotgun | O'Marilyn |
2013 [21] | Ruud Awakening[22] | Bernardini | Dawn Almighty (Danehill | Craig Williams | Stephen Marsh | 1:09.77 | Fantastic Honour | Touche |
2012 | Ockham's Razor[23] | Any Suggestion | Shadow Ray | Craig Williams | Anthony Freedman | 1:10.66 | Silk Pins | Warhorse |
2011 | Fort Lincoln | Charge Forward | Belle Toujours | Jonathan Riddell | Lisa Latta | 1:11.82 | Antonio Lombardo | Planet Rock |
2010 | Sister Havana | General Nediym | Ultima Vita | Stathi Katsidis | Liam Birchley | 1:09.70 | Icepin | Banchee |
2009 | The Heckler | Lucky Owners | Comedy Cafe | Michael Rodd | Murray & Bjorn Baker | 1:10.58 | Sarge In Charge | Bewitch |
2008 | Vincent Mangano | No Excuse Needed | Rationable | Vinny Colgan | Peter McKay | 1:11.25 | Maureen Dorothy | Raid |
Melody Belle was a $32 outsider when she won the 2017 edition.
Avantage, Melody Belle and The Heckler also won the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes.
The victory by Cool Aza Beel in 2020 was the fourth consecutive win by Opie Bosson as a jockey in the Karaka Million 2YO race. He did not ride in the 2021 edition but was successful again in 2022 with Dynastic.
The 2022 victory of Dynastic was the sixth consecutive win by Jamie Richards as a trainer/co-trainer in the race.
Winners of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic
The following are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic raced over 1600m.
Year |
Winner |
Sire |
Dam |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
Second |
Third |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 [24] | Prowess | Proisir | Donna Marie (by Don Eduardo) | Warren Kennedy | Roger James and Robert Wellwood | 1:35.34 (Pukekohe) | Wild Night | Desert Lightning |
2022 [25] | Pin Me Up | Pins | Brampton Loco (O'Reilly) | Sam Weatherley | Jamie Richards | 1:34.37 | Tutukaka | Karman Line |
2021 [26] | Aegon | Sacred Falls | Toss Up (Zabeel) | Leith Innes | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 1:33.78 | Amarelinha | Montre Moi |
2020 [27] | Probabeel | Savabeel | Far Fetched (Pins) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | 1:33.49 | Conqueror | Hasstobegood |
2019 [28] | Long Leaf | Fastnet Rock | Frustrating (Stravinsky) | James McDonald | David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig | 1:35.1 | The Real Beel | Madison County |
2018 [29] | Scott Base[30] | Dalghar | Extra Celestial (Danehill Dancer) | Rosie Myers | Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard | 1:33.43 | Embellish | Savvy Coup |
The 2018 and 2022 Karaka Million 3YO winners Scott Base and Pin Me Up were $22.10 and $24.10 outsiders respectively.
Winners of the Karaka 3YO Mile
Winners of the Karaka Cup
From 2018, the $100,000 Karaka Cup allows older horses to enter for the duration of their careers.
The following are the recent winners of the Karaka Cup raced over 2200m.
Year |
Winner |
Sire |
Dam |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
Second |
Third |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 [36] | Zee Falls 56 | Sacred Falls | Zelitist (by Zabeel) | Damian Lane | Stephen Marsh | 2:16.87 (Pukekohe) | Contemplation 54 | Tutukaka 60 |
2022 [37] | Rapid Falls 54 | Sacred Falls | Sitting On A Hill (City On A Hill) | Leith Innes | Tony Pike | 2:17.71 | Notabadharada | Sagunto |
2021 [38] | Tiptronic 62.5 | O’Reilly | Tiptoes (Pins) | Wiremu Pinn (A2) | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 2:17.06 | In A Twinkling | On The Rocks |
2020 [39] | Dance Card | Savabeel | Dancing Attendance (Danehill Dancer) | Michael Dee | Lance Noble | 2:17.84 | Intrigue | Church Road |
2019 [40] | Five to Midnight | Domesday | Fastnet Lady (Fastnet Rock) | Johnathan Parkes | Lisa Latta | 2:18.51 | Mongolian Marshal | Sacred Day |
2018 [41] | August Edition | Alamosa | Miranda Miss (Reset) | Rosie Myers | Shaun & Emma Clotworthy | 2:17.75 | Top Prospect | Charles Road |
August Edition, the 2018 winner of the Karaka Cup was a $30.60 outsider.
Winners of the Karaka Stayers Cup
See also
References
- "Karaka Million Series | New Zealand Bloodstock | Thoroughbred Auction House".
- "New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million | Sat 21 Jan 2023 | Pukekohe Park".
- "1000-member betting syndicate mulls placing NZ's biggest ever bet on a single horse race".
- "Ellerslie crowd sings in praise of jockey Opie Bosson's Karaka Million win". 23 January 2022.
- "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Jame Richards-trained juvenile Probabeel wins Karaka Million at Ellerslie". 26 January 2019.
- "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Two Karaka Millions in a row for Team te Akau > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily".
- "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Outsider Melody Belle upsets the favourites to win the Karaka Million race at Ellerslie". 29 January 2017.
- "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Xiong Feng wins New Zealand's million dollar race, the Karaka Million". 24 January 2016.
- "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Karaka Million win Aussie's 'best moment in racing'".
- "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Vespa sparks birdcage celebrations". 7 February 2014.
- "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "AB great wins Karaka Million". 28 January 2013.
- "Moor picks up plum ride". 15 February 2012.
- "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Scott Base storms home to win inaugural Karaka Millions 3YO Classic at Ellerslie". 27 January 2018.
- "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 2 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 7 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 14 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- "Race 2 THE WESTBURY KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".