Karaka Million

Last updated
Karaka Million
Restricted Listed race
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 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 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:

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 TycoonParmalove Snitzel James McDonald Stephen Marsh1:09.15 (good)Damask Rose 55Full Force 57
2023 [8] Tokyo TycoonSatono AladdinAll About The Coin Starcraft Craig ZackeyMark Walker1:10.04 (Pukekohe)Ethereal StarTrobriand
2022 [9] Dynastic Almanzor Meir Volksraad Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.60WolverineFellini
2021 [10] On The BubblesBrazen BeauMore Bubbles Sebring Johnathan Parkes Jamie Richards 1:10.70Sneaky SharkAvonallo
2020 [11] Cool Aza Beel Savabeel Cool ‘N’ SassyTesta Rossa Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:10.57Play That SongTaroni
2019 [12] Probabeel [13] Savabeel Far FetchedPins Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.90Aotea LadAppellant
2018 [14] Avantage [15] Fastnet Rock Asavant Zabeel Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.54Al HasaBocce
2017 [16] Melody Belle [17] CommandsMeleka BelleIffraaj Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.95HasahaloFelton Road
2016 [18] Xiong Feng [19] IffraajStrayTale of the CatDanielle JohnsonStephen McKee1:09.68Showmeya moneyhoneyKingsman
2015 [20] Hardline [21] ShowcasingMidnight Breaker Housebuster Damian BrowneLiam Birchley1:10.64SelfieDal Cielo
2014 [22] Vespa [23] Elusive CityMiss Avalon Fantastic Light Mark Du Plessis Johno Benner1:12.07Riding ShotgunO'Marilyn
2013 [24] Ruud Awakening [25] Bernardini Dawn Almighty Danehill Craig Williams Stephen Marsh1:09.77Fantastic HonourTouche
2012 [26] Ockham's Razor [27] Any SuggestionShadow RayGroom Dancer (USA) Craig Williams Anthony 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 Katsidis Liam Birchley1:09.70IcepinBanchee
2009 [30] The HecklerLucky OwnersComedy CafeRory's Jester (Aus) Michael Rodd Murray & 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] Orchestral Savabeel Symphonic (NZ) O'Reilly James McDonald Roger James & Robert Wellwood1:33.31 (good)PendragonJust As Sharp
2023 [33] Prowess Proisir Donna MarieDon Eduardo Warren Kennedy Roger James and Robert Wellwood1:35.34 (Pukekohe)Wild NightDesert Lightning
2022 [34] Pin Me Up Pins Brampton Loco O'Reilly Sam Weatherley Jamie Richards 1:34.37TutukakaKarman Line
2021 [35] Aegon Sacred Falls Toss Up Zabeel Leith Innes Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman1:33.78AmarelinhaMontre Moi
2020 [36] Probabeel Savabeel Far FetchedPins Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:33.49ConquerorHasstobegood
2019 [37] Long Leaf Fastnet Rock Frustrating Stravinsky James McDonald David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig1:35.1The Real BeelMadison County
2018 [38] Scott Base [39] 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 [48] Zee Falls 56 Sacred Falls Zelitist Zabeel Damian Lane Stephen Marsh2:16.87 (Pukekohe)Contemplation 54Tutukaka 60
2022 [49] Rapid Falls 54 Sacred Falls Sitting On A HillCity On A HillLeith InnesTony Pike2:17.71NotabadharadaSagunto
2021 [50] Tiptronic 62.5 O’Reilly TiptoesPinsWiremu Pinn (A2)Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:17.06In A TwinklingOn The Rocks
2020 [51] Dance Card Savabeel Dancing Attendance Danehill Dancer Michael Dee Lance Noble2:17.84IntrigueChurch Road
2019 [52] Five to MidnightDomesdayFastnet Lady Fastnet Rock Johnathan Parkes Lisa Latta2:18.51Mongolian MarshalSacred Day
2018 [53] August EditionAlamosaMiranda Miss Reset Rosie MyersShaun & Emma Clotworthy2:17.75Top ProspectCharles Road
2017 [54] ChenillePentireCharmed (NZ) O'Reilly Leith 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

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