Major upgrade to Karaka Million 2018!
As part of NZB's newly enhanced Sales Series in 2018, one of the best race days in the country is set to showcase a major upgrade, with two key changes to the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie.
The 2018 Karaka Million Twilight Meeting will be run on Saturday 27 January, rather than its traditional Sunday slot. It will continue as a six race twilight meeting, but in addition to two $1 million feature events, the support card will now comprise four new Group races.
Karaka 2017 yearlings are eligible to enter for the $1 million Karaka Million in 2018, the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic in 2019, plus the $100,000 Karaka Cup from 2018 and each year thereafter.
The $1,000,000 Karaka Million for two-year-olds will be one of two New Zealand Bloodstock highlight incentive races with the new addition of the $1,000,000 Karaka Million 3YO Classic boosting the Series for graduates of its National Yearling Sales Series.
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Melody Belle (NZ) victorious in the 2017 Karaka Million. |
From 2018, the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting, held at Auckland Racing Club’s Ellerslie Racecourse, will host the two million-dollar races and four Group races in New Zealand on its six-race card, cementing its position as the richest race meeting on the calendar.
The meeting is run on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series: Book 1 Sale with the two-year-old race run over 1200m and the three-year-old race over 1600m, both races carry Restricted Listed status.
In addition, every horse entered in the Karaka Million is also eligible to compete in the $100,000 Karaka Cup.
The Race Towards the 2018 Karaka Million!
The Order of Entry for the 2018 Karaka Million 2YO will be determined by prizemoney won so the young horses are hunting valuable earnings around the country as they try to earn themselves a coveted start.
This logo (right) displayed on the nominations and fields produced by NZTR denotes that the horse is qualified for a start in the Karaka Million (two-year-olds), the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (three-year-olds) and the Karaka Cup.
Karaka Million 2YO 2018 Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2017)
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2017 National Yearling Sales
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2017 South Island Sale
New $1,000,000 Karaka Million 3YO Classic
The Karaka 3YO Mile has a new name and a new purse, now called the Karaka Million 3YO Classic worth $1,000,000!
This new million dollar race will suit those horses that excel over 1600m whilst also acting as a springboard into the Guineas races and the Derby for the classic three-year-olds.
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Volpe Veloce (NZ) winner of the 2017 Res. Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile. |
The lucrative race will come into effect when the yearlings offered at Karaka 2016 are eligible to compete as three-year-olds in 2018.
The Order of Entry for the 2018 $1,000,000 Karaka Million 3YO Classic will be determined by NZTR domestic ratings – those with the lowest ratings will be eliminated first until the safety limit is reached. In the event of horses being on equal ratings these horses will be separated by the Handicapper based on each of the horse’s last three starts. Horses that are racing overseas, will be rated by the NZTR Handicapper.
Karaka Million 3YO Classic 2018 Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2016)
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2017 National Yearling Sales
2018 $100,000 Karaka Cup
The $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup (formerly the Karaka Stayers Cup) was added to the Karaka Million Race Series in 2014. The race is held over 2200m and will be held at Ellerslie on Sunday 14 January 2018 in the lead up to the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting.
Chenille (NZ) winning the 2017 Windsor Park Stud Karaka Stayers' Cup.
The 2018 event is open to all Karaka Million Series eligible horses sold through the National Yearling Sales Series.
The Order of Entry for the 2018 Karaka Cup will be determined by NZTR domestic ratings – those with the lowest ratings will be eliminated first until the safety limit is reached. In the event of horses being on equal ratings these horses will be separated by the Handicapper based on each of the horse’s last three starts.
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2017 National Yearling Sales
For more information about the Karaka Million Series contact Natasha Thomas at NZB.
Karaka Million Honour Roll
| Year | Karaka Million Winner | Sire x Dam | Vendor | Price & Sale | Purchaser |
| 2017 | Melody Belle (NZ) | Commands x Meleka Belle | Haunui Farm | $57,500 Premier Sale | Mr DC Ellis |
| 2016 | Xiong Feng (NZ) | Iffraaj x Stray | Monovale Farm | $30,000 Select Sale | ZL Mok |
| 2015 | Hardline (NZ) | Showcasing x Midnight Breaker | Hallmark Stud | $130,000 Select Sale | LB Racing |
| 2014 | Vespa (NZ) | Elusive City x Miss Avalon | Valachi Downs | $34,000 Select Sale | Cavallo Agistment Centre |
| 2013 | Ruud Awakening | Bernardini x Dawn Almighty | Westbury Stud | $90,000 Premier Sale | Go Racing Ltd |
| 2012 | Ockham's Razor (NZ) | Any Suggestion x Shadow Ray | Rich Hill Stud | $170,000 Premier Sale | Bahen Bloodstock |
| 2011 | Fort Lincoln | Charge Forward x Belle Toujours | Curraghmore | $110,000 Premier Sale | Lisa Latta Racing Stables |
| 2010 | Sister Havana (NZ) | General Nediym x Ultima Vita | Shelby Park | $40,000 Select Sale | Aquanita Racing |
| 2009 | The Heckler | Lucky Owners x Comedy Café | Woodridge Farm | $70,000 Select Sale | Peter Walker |
| 2008 | Vincent Mangano (NZ) | No Excuse Needed x Rationable | Waikato Stud | $80,000 Premier Sale | Mr PN & Mrs K McKay |