Karaka Million

Last updated
Karaka Million
ClassRestricted Listed
Location Ellerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website www.ellerslie.co.nz
Race information
Distance1200m (2YO), 1600m (3YO)
SurfaceTurf
Trackright-handed
QualificationRegistered two-year-olds or three-year-olds, respectively
WeightHandicap

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 among 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]

Contents

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 Karaka 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:

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

In 2025 the Railway Stakes was moved from New Year's Day to the Karaka Million meeting. [7] [8]

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
2025 [9] La Dorada 55Super Seth (Aus)Gold FeverGold Rocks (Aus) Craig Williams Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson1:10.77 (soft)Vega For Luck 57Miss Ziggy 55
2024 [10] Velocious 55Written TycoonParmalove Snitzel James McDonald Stephen Marsh1:09.15 (good)Damask Rose 55Full Force 57
2023 [11] Tokyo Tycoon 57Satono AladdinAll About The Coin Starcraft Craig ZackeyMark Walker1:10.04 (good, Pukekohe)Ethereal Star 55Trobriand 57
2022 [12] Dynastic 56.5 Almanzor Meir Volksraad Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.60 (good)Wolverine 54.5Fellini 56.5
2021 [13] On The Bubbles 56.5Brazen BeauMore Bubbles Sebring Johnathan Parkes Jamie Richards 1:10.70 (good)Sneaky Shark 56.5Avonallo 56.5
2020 [14] Cool Aza Beel 56.5 Savabeel Cool ‘N’ Sassy Testa Rossa Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:10.57 (good)Play That Song 54.5Taroni 54.5
2019 [15] Probabeel 54.5 [16] Savabeel Far Fetched Pins Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.90 (good)Aotea Lad 56.5Appellant 55
2018 [17] Avantage 55 [18] Fastnet Rock Asavant Zabeel Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.54 (good)Al Hasa 56.5Bocce 56.5
2017 [19] Melody Belle 54.5 [20] CommandsMeleka BelleIffraaj Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.95 (good)Hasahalo 54.5Felton Road 56.5
2016 [21] Xiong Feng [22] IffraajStrayTale of the CatDanielle JohnsonStephen McKee1:09.68Showmeya moneyhoneyKingsman
2015 [23] Hardline [24] ShowcasingMidnight Breaker Housebuster Damian BrowneLiam Birchley1:10.64SelfieDal Cielo
2014 [25] Vespa [26] Elusive CityMiss Avalon Fantastic Light Mark Du Plessis Johno Benner1:12.07Riding ShotgunO'Marilyn
2013 [27] Ruud Awakening [28] Bernardini Dawn Almighty Danehill Craig Williams Stephen Marsh1:09.77Fantastic HonourTouche
2012 [29] Ockham's Razor [30] Any SuggestionShadow RayGroom Dancer (USA) Craig Williams Anthony Freedman1:10.66Silk PinsWarhorse
2011 [31] Fort LincolnCharge ForwardBelle ToujoursFlying Spur (Aus)Jonathan RiddellLisa Latta1:11.82Antonio LombardoPlanet Rock
2010 [32] Sister HavanaGeneral NediymUltima Vita Canny Lad (Aus) Stathi Katsidis Liam Birchley1:09.70IcepinBanchee
2009 [33] The HecklerLucky OwnersComedy CafeRory's Jester (Aus) Michael Rodd Murray & Bjorn Baker1:10.58Sarge In ChargeBewitch
2008 [34] 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
2025 [35] Damask Rose 55 Savabeel Sombreuil (Aus)Flying Spur (Aus) Blake Shinn Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson1:36.49 (soft)Tuxedo 57Dealt With 57
2024 [36] Orchestral [37] Savabeel Symphonic (NZ) O'Reilly James McDonald Roger James & Robert Wellwood1:33.31 (good)PendragonJust As Sharp
2023 [38] Prowess Proisir Donna MarieDon Eduardo Warren Kennedy Roger James and Robert Wellwood1:35.34 (Pukekohe)Wild NightDesert Lightning
2022 [39] Pin Me Up Pins Brampton Loco O'Reilly Sam Weatherley Jamie Richards 1:34.37TutukakaKarman Line
2021 [40] Aegon Sacred Falls Toss Up Zabeel Leith Innes Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman1:33.78AmarelinhaMontre Moi
2020 [41] Probabeel Savabeel Far Fetched Pins Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:33.49ConquerorHasstobegood
2019 [42] Long Leaf Fastnet Rock Frustrating Stravinsky James McDonald David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig1:35.1The Real BeelMadison County
2018 [43] Scott Base [44] 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

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

Winners of the Karaka Cups (2014-2023)

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

The following are the winners of those events.

Year
Winner
Sire
Dam
Dam Sire
Jockey
Trainer
Time
Second
Third
2023 [53] Zee Falls 56 Sacred Falls Zelitist Zabeel Damian Lane Stephen Marsh2:16.87 (Pukekohe)Contemplation 54Tutukaka 60
2022 [54] Rapid Falls 54 Sacred Falls Sitting On A HillCity On A HillLeith InnesTony Pike2:17.71Notabadharada 54Sagunto 54
2021 [55] Tiptronic 60.5 O’Reilly Tiptoes Pins Wiremu Pinn (A2)Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:17.06In A Twinkling 61On The Rocks 54
2020 [56] Dance Card 53 Savabeel Dancing Attendance Danehill Dancer Michael Dee Lance Noble2:17.84Intrigue 53.5Church Road 53
2019 [57] Five to Midnight 60DomesdayFastnet Lady Fastnet Rock Johnathan Parkes Lisa Latta2:18.51Mongolian Marshal 56.5Sacred Day 53
2018 [58] August Edition 54AlamosaMiranda Miss Reset Rosie MyersShaun & Emma Clotworthy2:17.75Top Prospect 54Charles Road 59.5
2017 [59] Chenille 55 Pentire Charmed (NZ) O'Reilly Leith InnesTony Pike2:16.81 (good)Sacred Shot 53Team Pete 51
2016 [60] Rose of Virginia 53Thorn Park (Aus)Centapin Pins (Aus)Cameron LammasLance Noble2:17.00 (good)Seventeen Seventy 53Decorah 60
2015 [61] Candle In The Wind 56 Darci Brahma Prefer Blondes (USA)Gentlemen (Arg) Hugh Bowman Donna & Dean Logan2:18.07 (good)Blizzard 56Chipandchase 53
2014 [62] Deane Martin 54Keeper (Aus)Ela NimueZabeelTommy BerryBruce Wallace2:17.06 (good)Lion Red 53.5Her To Eternity 53

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

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". 1 News.
  4. ↑ "Ellerslie crowd sings in praise of jockey Opie Bosson's Karaka Million win". 23 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Welcome to BGP". Boys Get Paid!!.
  6. ↑ "Horse racing: Karaka Millions first NZ race meeting to top $4m". The New Zealand Herald . January 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Why this year's Karaka Millions is set for international stardom". The New Zealand Herald . January 19, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Race Meeting for AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING at ELLERSLIE on 25 JAN 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  9. ↑ "Race 4 TAB KARAKA MILLIONS 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 25 JAN 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  10. ↑ "Race 4 TAB KARAKA MILLIONS 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 27 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ↑ "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ↑ "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  13. ↑ "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  14. ↑ "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ↑ "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  16. ↑ "Jame Richards-trained juvenile Probabeel wins Karaka Million at Ellerslie". 26 January 2019.
  17. ↑ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  18. ↑ "Two Karaka Millions in a row for Team te Akau > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily".
  19. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  20. ↑ "Outsider Melody Belle upsets the favourites to win the Karaka Million race at Ellerslie". 29 January 2017.
  21. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  22. ↑ "Xiong Feng wins New Zealand's million dollar race, the Karaka Million". 24 January 2016.
  23. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  24. ↑ "Karaka Million win Aussie's 'best moment in racing'".
  25. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  26. ↑ "Vespa sparks birdcage celebrations". 7 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  28. ↑ "AB great wins Karaka Million". 28 January 2013.
  29. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  30. ↑ "Moor picks up plum ride". 15 February 2012.
  31. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 30 JAN 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  32. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 31 JAN 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  33. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  34. ↑ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  35. ↑ "Race 5 TAB KARAKA MILLIONS 3YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 25 JAN 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  36. ↑ "Race 6 TAB KARAKA MILLIONS 3YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 27 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  37. ↑ "Karaka Millions: Orchestral claims 4yo mile after 10 magical seconds". The New Zealand Herald . January 25, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  39. ↑ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  40. ↑ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  41. ↑ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  42. ↑ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  43. ↑ "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  44. ↑ "Scott Base storms home to win inaugural Karaka Millions 3YO Classic at Ellerslie". 27 January 2018.
  45. ↑ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 31 JAN 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  46. ↑ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 30 JAN 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  47. ↑ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  48. ↑ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  49. ↑ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  50. ↑ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  51. ↑ "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  52. ↑ "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  53. ↑ "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  54. ↑ "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  55. ↑ "Race 2 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  56. ↑ "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  57. ↑ "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  58. ↑ "Race 7 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 14 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  59. ↑ "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  60. ↑ "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  61. ↑ "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  62. ↑ "Race 2 THE WESTBURY KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
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