The Karaka Million refers to two major

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

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 Ellerslie Racecourse is the main racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand, for thoroughbred racehorses. It is an undulating, grass circuit in the suburb of Ellerslie, with a circumference of just under 1,900 metres. Racing is conducted in a clockwi ...

, they are New Zealand's richest races, with a stake of

NZ$ The New Zealand dollar ( mi, tāra o Aotearoa; sign: $, NZ$; code: NZD) is the official currency and legal tender of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, the Ross Dependency, Tokelau, and a British territory, the Pitcairn Islands. Within New ...

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 Te Rapa is a mixed light industrial, large-scale retail and semi-rural suburb to the northwest of central Hamilton, New Zealand that is built on a flat area that was previously the bed of an ancient river, the forerunner to the present Waikato ...

. 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 1pm, have up to 10 races, and finish before 6pm the Karaka Million race meeting is a twilight meeting. For example, 2020 had a six-race card: * 4:30pm - the Karaka Cup, 2200 m open handicap for $100,000 * 5:10pm - the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy, 1200 m 3YO set weight + penalties for $70,000 * 5:50pm - the Group 3 Concorde Handicap, 1200 m Open Handicap for $70,000 * 6:30pm - the listed Karaka Million 2YO, 1200 m set weight for $1,000,000 * 7:08pm - the Group 2 Westbury Classic, 1400 m set weights + penalties for fillies and mares for $100,000 * 7:42pm - 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.

Winners of the Karaka Million 2YO

These are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 2YO race: Avantage, Melody Belle and The Heckler also won the

Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes The Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes is a Group One horse race held for Thoroughbred two-year-olds at Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Run over 1400 metres in late March or early April, for a stake of $225,000 (2021) it, and t ...

. 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.

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.

Winners of the Karaka Stayers Cup

*2017 - Chenille *2016 - Rose of Virginia *2015 - Candle in the Wind *2014 - Deane Martin {{div col end

References

*https://nzb.co.nz/sponsorships/karaka-million.cfm# *https://www.ellerslie.co.nz/new-zealand-bloodstock-karaka-million *https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/47475/Meeting-Overview.aspx *https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/46510/Meeting-Overview.aspx Horse races in New Zealand