Karaka Millions Series

The Karaka Millions Series is New Zealand's richest racing series, offering graduates of NZB’s sales the opportunity to compete for a share in over $3.5m. 

Just twelve months after yearlings make their sale ring debut, nominated horses can compete in the lucrative $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO race and another twelve months later they are able to contest the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO race.

Plus in an exciting new initiative, NZB and NZTR, generously supported by Entain, the NZB Mega Maiden Series sees a further $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season, until the 2026/27.

Comprised of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand, a $25,000 bonus will be struck if a Karaka Millions eligible horse, three years or older, wins a NZB Mega Maiden Series race. The winning owner will take home $20,000 and the successful trainer $5,000. Read more about the NZB Mega Maiden Series here. 

The “KM” logo displayed on the nominations and fields produced by NZTR denotes that the horse is qualified for a start in the two TAB-sponsored features for graduates, as well as the NZB Mega Maiden Series races.

All yearlings and weanlings purchased at Karaka are eligible for the Series. To nominate your purchase following a Sale, email finance@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. Entry deadlines apply, check the Terms & Conditions for the relevant sale for which the horse was purchased from. 
 

The Race Towards the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO

During the incredible 2026 TAB Karaka Millions Raceday, Queensland trainer Liam Birchley was on top of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) mountain again after Dream Roca (NZ) (El Roca) triumphed in the 19th running of the juvenile showpiece at Ellerslie.

Birchley, who previously won the race with Sister Havana (NZ) (General Nediym) in 2010 and Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing) in 2015, paid $75,000 to buy Dream Roca from Westbury Stud’s Book 2 draft at Karaka 2025. A year later, she had won two of her three starts and more than $625,000 in stakes.

• View the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO Roll of Honour here.
• View the 2026 $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO Results here.
  
   

$1.5 million Opportunity in the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO 

The $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) is one of the brightest highlights on the New Zealand racing calendar and international visitors in town for Karaka 2026 were treated to something very special from New Zealand’s most exciting racehorse.

Well Written (Written Tycoon), who was bought for $80,000 by Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock from Brighthill Farm’s draft in the 2024 National Online Yearling Sale, blew her rivals off the track in a stunning six-length runaway. She is now unbeaten in five starts and has earned over $1.4m.

• View the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO Roll of Honour here.
• View the 2026 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO Results here.
  
   

$1 million NZB Mega Maiden Bonuses 

Announced in May 2024, Karaka Millions riches were amplified from the 24/25 season, with horses eligible for the lucrative Karaka Millions Series eligible to race for an additional $1m in bonuses through the NZB Mega Maiden Series.

The exciting initiative by NZB and NZTR, generously supported by Entain, sees a further $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season, until the 2026/27 season.

Comprised of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand, a $25,000 bonus will be struck if a Karaka Millions eligible horse, three years or older, wins a NZB Mega Maiden Series race. The winning owner will take home $20,000 and the successful trainer $5,000. 

Find out more and view the schedule of races here.
 

Your Invite On Course in 2026

TAB Karaka Millions Raceday
Venue: Ellerslie Racecourse
Date: Saturday 24 January 2026 
Dress: Cocktail Racewear
Watch: Trackside Premier, Trackside 1 or LOVERACING.nz

$1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m)
$1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m)
$1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic 4YO (1600m)
$700,000 Sistema Group One Railway Stakes (1200m)
$250,000 Group Three Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m)
$100,000 Jo Giles Stakes (1400m)

 All are welcome to round out the week at Karaka with another high stakes, high quality day of racing following Karaka 2026.

Saturday 31 January
Venue: Ellerslie Racecourse
Watch: Trackside Premier, Trackside 1 or LOVERACING.nz

$120,000 Group 2 Colin Jillings 2yo Classic (1200M)
$100,000 Listed Fulton Family Stakes (Open 1500)

 

Eligible Horses

Horses Eligible for 2026 $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (YOB 2023)
Horses Eligible for 2026 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (YOB 2022)

 

Terms & Conditions

Karaka Millions Terms & Conditions - 2025 (for 2023 Weanlings & 2024 Yearlings)
Karaka Millions Terms & Conditions - 2026 (for 2025 Yearlings)