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.
| Restricted Listed race | |
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1200m (2YO), 1600m (3YO) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | right-handed |
| Qualification | Registered Two-year-olds or Three-Year-Olds respectively |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | NZ$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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cool Aza Beel | Savabeel | Cool ‘N’ Sassy (Testa Rossa) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | 1:10.57 | Play That Song | Taroni |
| 2019[2] | Probabeel | Savabeel | Far Fetched (Pins) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | 1:09.90 | Aotea Lad | Appellant |
| 2018[3] | Avantage | Fastnet Rock | Asavant | Opie Bosson | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | 1:10.54 | Al Hasa | Bocce |
| 2017[4] | Melody Belle | Commands | Meleka Belle (Iffraaj) | Opie Bosson | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | 1:10.95 | Hasahalo | Felton Road |
| 2016[5] | Xiong Feng | Iffraaj | Stray | Danielle Johnson | Lisa Latta | 1:09.68 | Showmeya moneyhoney | Kingsman |
| 2015[6] | Hardline | Showcasing | Midnight Breaker | Damian Browne | Liam Birchley | 1:10.64 | Selfie | Dal Cielo |
| 2014[7] | Vespa | Elusive City | Miss Avalon | Mark Du Plessis | Johno Benner | 1:12.07 | Riding Shotgun | O'Marilyn |
| 2013[8] | Ruud Awakening | Bernardini | Dawn Almighty | Craig Williams | Stephen Marsh | 1:09.77 | Fantastic Honour | Touche |
| 2012[9] | Ockham's Razor | Any Suggestion | Shadow Ray | Craig Williams | Anthony Freedman | 1:10.66 | Silk Pins | Warhorse |
| 2011 | Fort Lincoln | Charge Forward | Belle Toujours | Jonathan Riddell | Lisa Latta | 1:11.82 | Antonio Lombardo | Planet Rock |
| 2010 | Sister Havana | General Nediym | Ultima Vita | Stathi Katsidis | Liam Birchley | 1:09.70 | Icepin | Banchee |
| 2009 | The Heckler | Lucky Owners | Comedy Cafe | Michael Rodd | Murray & Bjorn Baker | 1:10.58 | Sarge In Charge | Bewitch |
| 2008 | Vincent Mangano | No Excuse Needed | Rationable | Vinny Colgan | Peter McKay | 1:11.25 | Maureen Dorothy | Raid |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Probabeel | Savabeel | Far Fetched (Pins) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | 1:33.49 | Conqueror | Hasstobegood |
| 2019 | Long Leaf | Fastnet Rock | Frustrating | James McDonald | David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig | 1:35.1 | The Real Beel | Madison County |
| 2018[10] | Scott Base | Dalghar | Extra Celestial | Rosie Myers | Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard | 1:33.43 | Embellish | Savvy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dance Card | Savabeel | Dancing Attendance | Michael Dee | Lance Noble | 2:17.84 | Intrigue | Church Road |
| 2019 | Five to Midnight | Domesday | Fastnet Lady | Johnathan Parkes | Lisa Latta | 2:18.51 | Mongolian Marshal | Sacred Day |
| 2018 | August Edition | Alamosa | Miranda Miss | Rosie Myers | Shaun & Emma Clotworthy | 2:17.75 | Top Prospect | Charles Road |
Winners of the Karaka Stayers Cup
- 2017 - Chenille
- 2016 - Rose of Virginia
- 2015 - Candle in the Wind
- 2014 - Deane Martin
See also
References
- https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/1000-member-betting-syndicate-mulls-placing-nzs-biggest-ever-bet-single-horse-race
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/110191560/jame-richardstrained-juvenile-probabeel-wins-karaka-million-at-ellerslie
- http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/news/story/two-karaka-millions-in-a-row-for-team-te-akau-103162?section=International
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/88879893/outsider-melody-belle-upsets-the-favourites-to-win-the-karaka-million-race-at-ellerslie
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/76204473/xiong-feng-wins-new-zealands-million-dollar-race-the-karaka-million
- https://loveracing.nz/News/15178/Karaka-Million-win-Aussies-best-moment-in-racing.aspx
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/racing/9697203/Vespa-sparks-birdcage-celebrations
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/8232491/AB-great-wins-Karaka-Million
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/racing/6429337/Moor-picks-up-plum-ride
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100948843/scott-base-storms-home-to-win-karaka-millions-3yo-classic