Two Million Reasons
The Karaka Million Series offers graduates of NZB’s National Yearling Sales Series the opportunity to compete for a share in two $1 million features.
Just twelve short months after the yearlings make their sale ring debut, in 2020 they are eligible to compete in the lucrative $1 million Karaka Million 2YO and in 2021 they will be able to contest the enhanced $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic.
The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting, held at Auckland Racing Club’s Ellerslie Racecourse on the eve of the Sale, will host the two million-dollar features, the CollinsonForex Karaka Cup and a support card of three Group races cementing its position as the country’s richest race meeting.
“The Karaka Million meeting at Ellerslie is certainly in my top 10 race meetings to attend.” – Shane Anderson, Racing.com
In addition, every horse entered in the Karaka Million Series is also eligible to compete in the $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the remainder of their career.
The “KM” logo displayed on the nominations and fields produced by NZTR denotes that the horse is qualified for a start in the Karaka Million 2YO, the Karaka Million 3YO Classic and the CollinsonForex Karaka Cup.
The Race Towards the 2020 Karaka Million 2YO
A Restricted Listed 1200m race for two-year-olds, the order of entry for the 2020 Karaka Million 2YO will be determined by prizemoney won with the field limited to 14 starters. The juveniles will be hunting valuable earnings around the country as they try to earn themselves a coveted start.
In 2019, Te Akau Racing made it three wins in a row in the million dollar feature with star filly Probabeel (NZ) carrying the gold and black colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sessions
Second Share of $1 million in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic
Formerly named the Karaka 3YO Mile, the stakes quadrupled since its $250,000 running in 2012 to the inaugural $1 million running in 2018. Also carrying Restricted Listed status, in 2021 the three-year-olds race over 1600m in their second chance at $1 million with the field limited to 18 horses.
The order of entry is determined by NZTR domestic ratings – those with the lowest ratings will be eliminated first.
Australian raider Long Leaf became the first Australian-trained winner of the million dollar feature in 2019. He is trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig for an ownership group that includes NZB co-founder Sir Peter Vela along with Coolmore, MV Magnier, Dr Demi O’Byrne and Michael Kirwan.
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sessions
2020 $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup
Run over 2200m, graduates are eligible to compete in the $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the remainder of their careers. Formerly named the Karaka Stayers Cup, the feature is run on the eve of the Sale with the two $1 million races.
The order of entry will be determined by NZTR domestic ratings – 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.
Gutsy gelding Five To Midnight (NZ) showed all of his fighting qualities to win the 2019 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for trainer Lisa Latta and Kamada Racing.
Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2016)
Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2017)
Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2018)
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sessions
For more information about the Karaka Million Series contact Natasha Thomas at NZB.
Karaka Million 2YO Honour Roll
| Year | Winner | Sire x Dam | Vendor | Price & Sale | Purchaser |
| 2019 | Probabeel (NZ) | Savabeel x Far Fetched | Waikato Stud | $380,000 Book 1 | Mr DC Ellis |
| 2018 | Avantage | Fastnet Rock x Asavant | The Oaks Stud | $210,000 Premier Sale | Mr DC Ellis |
| 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 |
Karaka Million 3YO Classic Honour Roll
| Year | Winner | Sire x Dam | Vendor | Price & Sale | Purchaser |
| 2019 | Long Leaf | Fastnet Rock x Frustrating | Curraghmore | $750,000 Premier Sale | BBA Ireland |
| 2018 | Scott Base (NZ) | Dalghar x Extra Celestial | Brighthill Farm | $70,000 Select Sale | Chris Rutten Bloodstock |