Karaka Million

The Karaka Million refers to two major New Zealand horse races for young horses:

  • the original Karaka Million for two-year old horses, and
  • the Karaka Million 3YO Classic that started in 2018.
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

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 who were sold through the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales held at Karaka. The two $1,000,000 races are held on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

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.

From 2018 there is also the $100,000 Karaka Cup which older horses can enter for the duration of their career.

Whereas a usual New Zealand race meeting may start before 1pm, have up to 10 races and finish before 6pm the Karaka Million race meeting is a twilight meeting. For example, in 2020 there was a 6 race card:

  • 4:30pm - the Karaka Cup, 2200m open handicap for $100,000.
  • 5:10pm - the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy, 1200m 3YO set weight + penalties for $70,000.
  • 5:50pm - the Group 3 Concorde Handicap, 1200m Open Handicap for $70,000.
  • 6:30pm - the listed Karaka Million 2YO, 1200m set weight for $1,000,000.
  • 7:08pm - the Group 2 Westbury Classic, 1400m set weights + penalties for fillies and mares for $100,000.
  • 7:42pm - 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.[1]

Winners of the Karaka Million 2YO

The following are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 2YO race.

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2020Cool Aza BeelSavabeelCool ‘N’ Sassy (Testa Rossa)Opie BossonJamie Richards1:10.57Play That SongTaroni
2019[2]ProbabeelSavabeelFar Fetched (Pins)Opie BossonJamie Richards1:09.90Aotea LadAppellant
2018[3]AvantageFastnet RockAsavantOpie BossonStephen Autridge & Jamie Richards1:10.54Al HasaBocce
2017[4]Melody BelleCommandsMeleka Belle (Iffraaj)Opie BossonStephen Autridge & Jamie Richards1:10.95HasahaloFelton Road
2016[5]Xiong FengIffraajStrayDanielle JohnsonLisa Latta1:09.68Showmeya moneyhoneyKingsman
2015[6]HardlineShowcasingMidnight BreakerDamian BrowneLiam Birchley1:10.64SelfieDal Cielo
2014[7]VespaElusive CityMiss AvalonMark Du PlessisJohno Benner1:12.07Riding ShotgunO'Marilyn
2013[8]Ruud AwakeningBernardiniDawn AlmightyCraig WilliamsStephen Marsh1:09.77Fantastic HonourTouche
2012[9]Ockham's RazorAny 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

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 and Jamie Richards as a trainer/co-trainer in the Karaka Million 2YO 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
2020ProbabeelSavabeelFar Fetched (Pins)Opie BossonJamie Richards1:33.49ConquerorHasstobegood
2019Long LeafFastnet RockFrustratingJames McDonaldDavid & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig1:35.1The Real BeelMadison County
2018[10]Scott BaseDalgharExtra CelestialRosie MyersJohno Benner & Hollie Wynyard1:33.43EmbellishSavvy Coup

Winners of the Karaka 3YO Mile
  • 2017 - Volpe Veloce
  • 2016 - Raghu
  • 2015 - Volkstok'n"barrell
  • 2014 - Spellbinder
  • 2013 - Choice Bro
  • 2012 - Rock 'n' Pop
  • 2011 - Banchee
  • 2010 - Joey Massino

Winners of the Karaka Cup

The following are the recent winners of the Karaka Cup raced over 2200m.

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2020Dance CardSavabeelDancing AttendanceMichael DeeLance Noble2:17.84IntrigueChurch Road
2019Five to MidnightDomesdayFastnet LadyJohnathan ParkesLisa Latta2:18.51Mongolian MarshalSacred Day
2018August EditionAlamosaMiranda MissRosie MyersShaun & Emma Clotworthy2:17.75Top ProspectCharles Road

Winners of the Karaka Stayers Cup
  • 2017 - Chenille
  • 2016 - Rose of Virginia
  • 2015 - Candle in the Wind
  • 2014 - Deane Martin
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See also

References
  1. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/1000-member-betting-syndicate-mulls-placing-nzs-biggest-ever-bet-single-horse-race
  2. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/110191560/jame-richardstrained-juvenile-probabeel-wins-karaka-million-at-ellerslie
  3. http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/news/story/two-karaka-millions-in-a-row-for-team-te-akau-103162?section=International
  4. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/88879893/outsider-melody-belle-upsets-the-favourites-to-win-the-karaka-million-race-at-ellerslie
  5. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/76204473/xiong-feng-wins-new-zealands-million-dollar-race-the-karaka-million
  6. https://loveracing.nz/News/15178/Karaka-Million-win-Aussies-best-moment-in-racing.aspx
  7. http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/racing/9697203/Vespa-sparks-birdcage-celebrations
  8. http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/8232491/AB-great-wins-Karaka-Million
  9. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/racing/6429337/Moor-picks-up-plum-ride
  10. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100948843/scott-base-storms-home-to-win-karaka-millions-3yo-classic
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