New Million Dollar Feature Joins Karaka Million Series

In an enormous boost to NZB’s Karaka Million Series, the $1 million Karaka Million for two-year-olds will no longer be the only million dollar prize on offer at Karaka, with the announcement of a huge stake money increase that sees the Karaka 3YO Mile become the new $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic. 

From 2018 the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie racecourse will host the two richest races in New Zealand on its six-race card, cementing its position as one of the most iconic race meetings on the calendar.Yearlings on offer at Karaka 2016 (from January 25 next year) will now be eligible to enter to compete for the $1 million 2YO event (1200m) in 2017, the new $1 million 3YO event (1600m) in 2018, plus the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud Karaka Stayers Cup each year thereafter, for a single entry fee of $2,500 plus GST.

NZB Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela is thrilled with such a significant boost to the Series and acknowledged that it’s thanks to the support of NZTR and the Auckland Racing Club that it was able to happen.

“It has always been NZB’s ambition to find a way to celebrate and support our three-year-olds through the Series and we’re so excited that we are able to offer this opportunity to buyers at Karaka.

“This new million dollar race will suit those horses that excel over 1400m to 1600m whilst also acting as a springboard into the Guineas races and the Derby for the classic three-year-olds. It’s with enormous thanks to the Auckland Racing Club and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing that we have been able to collaborate to get it in place for January 2016.

“With two one million dollar features, for two- and three- year olds, everyone can have a live chance at competing for the jackpot with their Karaka yearlings. This should add a whole other layer of appeal to the selection of yearlings on offer at Karaka in January.”

NZTR Chairman Matt Goodson says the industry is fully behind the new move.

“NZTR has always seen considerable benefit to the whole industry of finding ways to support the Karaka Sales and this is a financially effective and appropriate way to do that. It goes to the heart of supporting the horses that NZ is so successful at producing, and gives our participants a valuable opportunity to showcase their trade, engage their owners, and importantly to boost their coffers.

“The Karaka Million is an outstanding race meeting that showcases our industry to both domestic and international audiences. We’re fortunate to have the commitment of the ARC and NZB to keep taking it to new levels for the industry’s benefit, and NZTR is completely committed to helping them do that where we can.”

Paul Kenny, Chairman of the Auckland Racing Club - the Karaka Million raceday hosts, says the new stake promises to take the Twilight Meeting to another level.

“It’s really a dream for the Club to have the opportunity to host two such important and lucrative feature races and support the National Sales in such a significant way. As one of the richest and most exciting race meetings in the country, not only is it great for the Club, but it’s a wonderful boost for breeders and owners and trainers who have such a vested interest in the Karaka Sales and we’re very proud to be able to support them in this way.”

In its six runnings to date, the Karaka 3YO Mile has been won one three times by Premier Sale purchases, and three times by Select Sale purchases. Three horses in six years have placed in both the Karaka Million 2YO and the 3YO Mile the following year: Banchee 3^rd & 1^st, Fort Lincoln 1^st and 3^rd, and Icepin 2^nd both times. The best performed sire in the 3YO contest has been O’Reilly, with five starters and two winners in six years.