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]

Karaka Million
Restricted Listed race
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.ellerslie.co.nz
Race information
Distance1200m (2YO), 1600m (3YO)
SurfaceTurf
Trackright-handed
QualificationRegistered two-year-olds or three-year-olds, respectively
WeightHandicap
PurseNZ$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 TycoonSatono AladdinAll About The Coin (by Starcraft)Craig ZackeyMark Walker1:10.04 (Pukekohe)Ethereal StarTrobriand
2022 [6]DynasticAlmanzorMeir (Volksraad)Opie BossonJamie Richards1:09.60WolverineFellini
2021 [7]On The BubblesBrazen BeauMore Bubbles (Sebring)Jonathan ParkesJamie Richards1:10.70Sneaky SharkAvonallo
2020 [8]Cool Aza BeelSavabeelCool ‘N’ Sassy (Testa Rossa)Opie BossonJamie Richards1:10.57Play That SongTaroni
2019 [9]Probabeel[10]SavabeelFar Fetched (Pins)Opie BossonJamie Richards1:09.90Aotea LadAppellant
2018 [11]Avantage[12]Fastnet RockAsavant (Zabeel)Opie BossonStephen Autridge & Jamie Richards1:10.54Al HasaBocce
2017 [13]Melody Belle[14]CommandsMeleka Belle (Iffraaj)Opie BossonStephen Autridge & Jamie Richards1:10.95HasahaloFelton Road
2016 [15]Xiong Feng[16]IffraajStray (Tale of the Cat)Danielle JohnsonStephen McKee1:09.68Showmeya moneyhoneyKingsman
2015 [17]Hardline[18]ShowcasingMidnight Breaker (Housebuster)Damian BrowneLiam Birchley1:10.64SelfieDal Cielo
2014 [19]Vespa[20]Elusive CityMiss Avalon (Fantastic Light)Mark Du PlessisJohno Benner1:12.07Riding ShotgunO'Marilyn
2013 [21]Ruud Awakening[22]BernardiniDawn Almighty (DanehillCraig WilliamsStephen Marsh1:09.77Fantastic HonourTouche
2012Ockham's Razor[23]Any SuggestionShadow RayCraig WilliamsAnthony Freedman1:10.66Silk PinsWarhorse
2011Fort LincolnCharge ForwardBelle ToujoursJonathan RiddellLisa Latta1:11.82Antonio LombardoPlanet Rock
2010Sister HavanaGeneral NediymUltima VitaStathi KatsidisLiam Birchley1:09.70IcepinBanchee
2009The HecklerLucky OwnersComedy CafeMichael RoddMurray & Bjorn Baker1:10.58Sarge In ChargeBewitch
2008Vincent ManganoNo Excuse NeededRationableVinny ColganPeter McKay1:11.25Maureen DorothyRaid

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]ProwessProisirDonna Marie (by Don Eduardo)Warren KennedyRoger James and Robert Wellwood1:35.34 (Pukekohe)Wild NightDesert Lightning
2022 [25]Pin Me UpPinsBrampton Loco (O'Reilly)Sam WeatherleyJamie Richards1:34.37TutukakaKarman Line
2021 [26]AegonSacred FallsToss Up (Zabeel)Leith InnesMurray Baker & Andrew Forsman1:33.78AmarelinhaMontre Moi
2020 [27]ProbabeelSavabeelFar Fetched (Pins)Opie BossonJamie Richards1:33.49ConquerorHasstobegood
2019 [28]Long LeafFastnet RockFrustrating (Stravinsky)James McDonaldDavid & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig1:35.1The Real BeelMadison County
2018 [29]Scott Base[30]DalgharExtra Celestial (Danehill Dancer)Rosie MyersJohno Benner & Hollie Wynyard1:33.43EmbellishSavvy 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
  • 2017 - Volpe Veloce [31]
  • 2016 - Raghu [32]
  • 2015 - Volkstok'n'barrell [33]
  • 2014 - Spellbinder [34]
  • 2013 - Choice Bro [35]
  • 2012 - Rock 'n' Pop
  • 2011 - Banchee
  • 2010 - Joey Massino

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 56Sacred FallsZelitist (by Zabeel)Damian LaneStephen Marsh2:16.87 (Pukekohe)Contemplation 54Tutukaka 60
2022 [37]Rapid Falls 54Sacred FallsSitting On A Hill (City On A Hill)Leith InnesTony Pike2:17.71NotabadharadaSagunto
2021 [38]Tiptronic 62.5O’ReillyTiptoes (Pins)Wiremu Pinn (A2)Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:17.06In A TwinklingOn The Rocks
2020 [39]Dance CardSavabeelDancing Attendance (Danehill Dancer)Michael DeeLance Noble2:17.84IntrigueChurch Road
2019 [40]Five to MidnightDomesdayFastnet Lady (Fastnet Rock)Johnathan ParkesLisa Latta2:18.51Mongolian MarshalSacred Day
2018 [41]August EditionAlamosaMiranda Miss (Reset)Rosie MyersShaun & Emma Clotworthy2:17.75Top ProspectCharles Road

August Edition, the 2018 winner of the Karaka Cup was a $30.60 outsider.

Winners of the Karaka Stayers Cup
  • 2017 - Chenille [42]
  • 2016 - Rose of Virginia [43]
  • 2015 - Candle in the Wind [44]
  • 2014 - Deane Martin [45]

See also

References
  1. "Karaka Million Series | New Zealand Bloodstock | Thoroughbred Auction House".
  2. "New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million | Sat 21 Jan 2023 | Pukekohe Park".
  3. "1000-member betting syndicate mulls placing NZ's biggest ever bet on a single horse race".
  4. "Ellerslie crowd sings in praise of jockey Opie Bosson's Karaka Million win". 23 January 2022.
  5. "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  6. "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  7. "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  8. "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  9. "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  10. "Jame Richards-trained juvenile Probabeel wins Karaka Million at Ellerslie". 26 January 2019.
  11. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. "Two Karaka Millions in a row for Team te Akau > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily".
  13. "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  14. "Outsider Melody Belle upsets the favourites to win the Karaka Million race at Ellerslie". 29 January 2017.
  15. "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  16. "Xiong Feng wins New Zealand's million dollar race, the Karaka Million". 24 January 2016.
  17. "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  18. "Karaka Million win Aussie's 'best moment in racing'".
  19. "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  20. "Vespa sparks birdcage celebrations". 7 February 2014.
  21. "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  22. "AB great wins Karaka Million". 28 January 2013.
  23. "Moor picks up plum ride". 15 February 2012.
  24. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  25. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  26. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  27. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  28. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  29. "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  30. "Scott Base storms home to win inaugural Karaka Millions 3YO Classic at Ellerslie". 27 January 2018.
  31. "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  32. "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  33. "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  34. "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  35. "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  36. "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  37. "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  38. "Race 2 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  39. "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  40. "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  41. "Race 7 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 14 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  42. "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  43. "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  44. "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  45. "Race 2 THE WESTBURY KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
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