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

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.

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] [5]

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

In 2024 the Aotearoa Classic, a $1 million race over 1600m, was introduced for 4 year old horses.[6]

Karaka Million 2YO

These are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 2YO race:

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Dam sire
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2024 [7]Velocious 55Written TycoonParmaloveSnitzelJames McDonaldStephen Marsh1:09.15 (good)Damask Rose 55Full Force 57
2023 [8]Tokyo TycoonSatono AladdinAll About The CoinStarcraftCraig ZackeyMark Walker1:10.04 (Pukekohe)Ethereal StarTrobriand
2022 [9]DynasticAlmanzorMeirVolksraadOpie BossonJamie Richards1:09.60WolverineFellini
2021 [10]On The BubblesBrazen BeauMore BubblesSebringJonathan ParkesJamie Richards1:10.70Sneaky SharkAvonallo
2020 [11]Cool Aza BeelSavabeelCool ‘N’ SassyTesta RossaOpie BossonJamie Richards1:10.57Play That SongTaroni
2019 [12]Probabeel[13]SavabeelFar FetchedPinsOpie BossonJamie Richards1:09.90Aotea LadAppellant
2018 [14]Avantage[15]Fastnet RockAsavantZabeelOpie BossonStephen Autridge & Jamie Richards1:10.54Al HasaBocce
2017 [16]Melody Belle[17]CommandsMeleka BelleIffraajOpie BossonStephen Autridge & Jamie Richards1:10.95HasahaloFelton Road
2016 [18]Xiong Feng[19]IffraajStrayTale of the CatDanielle JohnsonStephen McKee1:09.68Showmeya moneyhoneyKingsman
2015 [20]Hardline[21]ShowcasingMidnight BreakerHousebusterDamian BrowneLiam Birchley1:10.64SelfieDal Cielo
2014 [22]Vespa[23]Elusive CityMiss AvalonFantastic LightMark Du PlessisJohno Benner1:12.07Riding ShotgunO'Marilyn
2013 [24]Ruud Awakening[25]BernardiniDawn AlmightyDanehillCraig WilliamsStephen Marsh1:09.77Fantastic HonourTouche
2012 [26]Ockham's Razor[27]Any SuggestionShadow RayGroom Dancer (USA)Craig WilliamsAnthony Freedman1:10.66Silk PinsWarhorse
2011 [28]Fort LincolnCharge ForwardBelle ToujoursFlying Spur (Aus)Jonathan RiddellLisa Latta1:11.82Antonio LombardoPlanet Rock
2010 [29]Sister HavanaGeneral NediymUltima VitaCanny Lad (Aus)Stathi KatsidisLiam Birchley1:09.70IcepinBanchee
2009 [30]The HecklerLucky OwnersComedy CafeRory's Jester (Aus)Michael RoddMurray & Bjorn Baker1:10.58Sarge In ChargeBewitch
2008 [31]Vincent ManganoNo Excuse NeededRationableHousebuster (USA)Vinny 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.

Karaka Million 3YO Classic

The following are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic raced over 1600m.

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Dam Sire
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2024 [32]OrchestralSavabeelSymphonic (NZ)O'ReillyJames McDonaldRoger James & Robert Wellwood1:33.31 (good)PendragonJust As Sharp
2023 [33]ProwessProisirDonna MarieDon EduardoWarren KennedyRoger James and Robert Wellwood1:35.34 (Pukekohe)Wild NightDesert Lightning
2022 [34]Pin Me UpPinsBrampton LocoO'ReillySam WeatherleyJamie Richards1:34.37TutukakaKarman Line
2021 [35]AegonSacred FallsToss UpZabeelLeith InnesMurray Baker & Andrew Forsman1:33.78AmarelinhaMontre Moi
2020 [36]ProbabeelSavabeelFar FetchedPinsOpie BossonJamie Richards1:33.49ConquerorHasstobegood
2019 [37]Long LeafFastnet RockFrustratingStravinskyJames McDonaldDavid & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig1:35.1The Real BeelMadison County
2018 [38]Scott Base[39]DalgharExtra CelestialDanehill DancerRosie 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

From 2010 to 2017 the Karaka Million meeting had a 1600m race for 3 year old horses.

  • 2010 - Joey Massino [40]
  • 2011 - Banchee [41]
  • 2012 - Rock 'n' Pop [42]
  • 2013 - Choice Bro [43]
  • 2014 - Spellbinder [44]
  • 2015 - Volkstok'n'barrell [45]
  • 2016 - Raghu [46]
  • 2017 - Volpe Veloce [47]

Winners of the Karaka Cups (2014-2023)

The Karaka Million meeting had a 2200m races for older horses:

  • the Karaka Stayers Cup from 2014 to 2017
  • the Karaka Cup from 2018 to 2023.

The following are the winners of those events.

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Dam Sire
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2023 [48]Zee Falls 56Sacred FallsZelitistZabeelDamian LaneStephen Marsh2:16.87 (Pukekohe)Contemplation 54Tutukaka 60
2022 [49]Rapid Falls 54Sacred FallsSitting On A HillCity On A HillLeith InnesTony Pike2:17.71NotabadharadaSagunto
2021 [50]Tiptronic 62.5O’ReillyTiptoesPinsWiremu Pinn (A2)Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:17.06In A TwinklingOn The Rocks
2020 [51]Dance CardSavabeelDancing AttendanceDanehill DancerMichael DeeLance Noble2:17.84IntrigueChurch Road
2019 [52]Five to MidnightDomesdayFastnet LadyFastnet RockJohnathan ParkesLisa Latta2:18.51Mongolian MarshalSacred Day
2018 [53]August EditionAlamosaMiranda MissResetRosie MyersShaun & Emma Clotworthy2:17.75Top ProspectCharles Road
2017 [54]ChenillePentireCharmed (NZ)O'ReillyLeith InnesTony Pike2:16.81 (good)Sacred ShotTeam Pete
2016 [55]Rose of Virginia
2015 [56]Candle In The Wind
2014 [57]Deane Martin

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

See also

References
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  19. "Xiong Feng wins New Zealand's million dollar race, the Karaka Million". 24 January 2016.
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