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 2019 they are eligible to compete in the lucrative $1 million Karaka Million 2YO and in 2020 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 and support card of four 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 2019 Karaka Million 2YO
A Restricted Listed 1200m race for two-year-olds, the order of entry for the 2019 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 2017 it was Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), and 12 months later the tangerine colours of Te Akau made it two in a row in the Karaka Million 2YO with Avantage (Fastnet Rock) coming out on top in 2018.
Karaka Million 2YO 2019 Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2018)
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2018 National Yearling Sales Series
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2018 South Island Sale
Second Running of $1 million 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 2019 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.
The same connections who triumphed with Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City) in the 2014 Karaka Million 2YO struck again in the first million-dollar running of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic. Owners Chris Rutten and John Norwood and trainer Johno Benner joined forces to win the 2018 running with Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar).
Karaka Million 3YO Classic 2019 Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2017)
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2018 National Yearling Sales Series
2019 $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 and run on the eve of the Sale, the 2018 edition saw the race moved forward to the weeks prior to the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting.
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.
August Edition (NZ) (Alamosa) had the biggest payday of her career to date when she scored a determined victory in the 2018 running of the CollinsonForex Karaka Cup.
Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2016)
Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2017)
Eligible Horses (sold at Karaka 2018)
Karaka Million Terms & Conditions - 2018 National Yearling Sales
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 |
| 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 |
| 2018 | Scott Base (NZ) | Dalghar x Extra Celestial | Brighthill Farm | $70,000 Select Sale | Chris Rutten Bloodstock |