Karaka Million

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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

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. 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.

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, 2020 had a six-race card:

  • 4:30 pm - the Karaka Cup, 2200 m open handicap for $100,000
  • 5:10 pm - the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy, 1200 m 3YO set weight + penalties for $70,000
  • 5:50 pm - the Group 3 Concorde Handicap, 1200 m Open Handicap for $70,000
  • 6:30 pm - the listed Karaka Million 2YO, 1200 m set weight for $1,000,000
  • 7:08 pm - the Group 2 Westbury Classic, 1400 m set weights + penalties for fillies and mares for $100,000
  • 7:42 pm - the listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 1600 m 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][2]

Winners of the Karaka Million 2YO[]

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

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2022 Dynastic Almanzor Meir Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.60 Wolverine Fellini
2021 On The Bubbles Brazen Beau More Bubbles Jonathan Parkes Jamie Richards 1:10.70 Sneaky Shark Avonallo
2020 Cool Aza Beel Savabeel Cool ‘N’ Sassy (Testa Rossa) Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:10.57 Play That Song Taroni
2019[3] Probabeel Savabeel Far Fetched (Pins) Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.90 Aotea Lad Appellant
2018[4] Avantage Fastnet Rock Asavant Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.54 Al Hasa Bocce
2017[5] Melody Belle Commands Meleka Belle (Iffraaj) Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.95 Hasahalo Felton Road
2016[6] Xiong Feng Iffraaj Stray Danielle Johnson Stephen McKee 1:09.68 Showmeya moneyhoney Kingsman
2015[7] Hardline Showcasing Midnight Breaker Damian Browne Liam Birchley 1:10.64 Selfie Dal Cielo
2014[8] Vespa Elusive City Miss Avalon Mark Du Plessis Johno Benner 1:12.07 Riding Shotgun O'Marilyn
2013[9] Ruud Awakening Bernardini Dawn Almighty Craig Williams Stephen Marsh 1:09.77 Fantastic Honour Touche
2012[10] 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 in the Karaka Million 2YO race.

The 2021 victory of On The Bubbles was the fifth consecutive win by Jamie Richards as a trainer/co-trainer in the 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
2022 Pin Me Up Pins Brampton Loco Sam Weatherley Jamie Richards 1:34.37 Tutukaka Karman Line
2021 Aegon Sacred Falls Toss Up Leith Innes Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 1:33.78 Amarelinha Montre Moi
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[11] 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[]

From 2018, the $100,000 Karaka Cup allows older horses to enter for the duration of their careers.

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

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2022 Rapid Falls 54 Sacred Falls Sitting On A Hill Leith Innes Tony Pike 2:17.71 Notabadharada Sagunto
2021 Tiptronic 62.5 O’Reilly Tiptoes Wiremu Pinn (A2) Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall 2:17.06 In A Twinkling On The Rocks
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[]

  1. ^ "1000-member betting syndicate mulls placing NZ's biggest ever bet on a single horse race".
  2. ^ "Ellerslie crowd sings in praise of jockey Opie Bosson's Karaka Million win". 23 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Jame Richards-trained juvenile Probabeel wins Karaka Million at Ellerslie". 26 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Two Karaka Millions in a row for Team te Akau > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily".
  5. ^ "Outsider Melody Belle upsets the favourites to win the Karaka Million race at Ellerslie". 29 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Xiong Feng wins New Zealand's million dollar race, the Karaka Million". 24 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Karaka Million win Aussie's 'best moment in racing'".
  8. ^ "Vespa sparks birdcage celebrations". 7 February 2014.
  9. ^ "AB great wins Karaka Million". 28 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Moor picks up plum ride". 15 February 2012.
  11. ^ "Scott Base storms home to win inaugural Karaka Millions 3YO Classic at Ellerslie". 27 January 2018.
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