Significantly boosting the appeal of all Karaka 2017 yearlings is the lucrative Karaka Million Series which all graduates of the Sales Series are eligible to be entered for.
The Karaka Million Series, is bigger and better than ever with an enhancement to the Karaka Million 3YO Classic that sees a huge increase in stakes money to $1 million.
These Karaka 2017 yearlings will belong to the second wave of Karaka graduates that are competing for this enhanced Karaka Million Series. They are eligible to enter for the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO in 2018, the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic in 2019, plus the $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup from 2020 and each year thereafter.
From 2018, the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting, held at Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie Racecourse, will host two of the richest races in New Zealand on its six-race card, cementing its position as one of the most iconic race meetings on the calendar and the richest raceday in New Zealand.
The meeting is run on the eve of the Karaka Premier Sale with the two-year-old race run over 1200m and the three-year-old race over 1600m, both races carry Restricted Listed status.
Nine Years of Winners
2017 will celebrate the 10th running of the Karaka Million feature race. Over the past nine Karaka Million races there have been many great thrills for connections of these gutsy two-year-olds who have raced to a $1 million victory only a year after they were purchased.
| Year | Karaka Million Winner | Sire x Dam | Vendor | Price & Sale | Purchaser | Owner | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2016 | Xiong Feng (NZ) | Iffraaj x Stray | Monovale Farm | $30,000 Select Sale | ZL Mok | Tan Kim Chua Stanley, Tan Koon Eng, James Leong Cen Ming & Lim Keat Joo | Stephen McKee & Eddie Chippendale | Danielle Johnson |
| 2015 | Hardline (NZ) | Showcasing x Midnight Breaker | Hallmark Stud | $130,000 Select Sale | LB Racing | L F Birchley | Liam Birchley | Damian Browne |
| 2014 | Vespa (NZ) | Elusive City x Miss Avalon | Valachi Downs | $34,000 Select Sale | Cavallo Agistment Centre | C J B Norwood & C A Rutten | Johno Benner | Mark du Plessis |
| 2013 | Ruud Awakening | Bernardini x Dawn Almighty | Westbury Stud | $90,000 Premier Sale | Go Racing Ltd | Go Racing Almighty Dawn Syndicate (Mgr: A Bosma) | Stephen Marsh | Craig Williams |
| 2012 | Ockham's Razor (NZ) | Any Suggestion x Shadow Ray | Rich Hill Stud | $170,000 Premier Sale | Bahen Bloodstock | A Freedman | Anthony Freedman | Craig Williams |
| 2011 | Fort Lincoln | Charge Forward x Belle Toujours | Curraghmore | $110,000 Premier Sale | Lisa Latta Racing Stables | Lincoln Farms Ltd | Lisa Latta | Jonathan Riddell |
| 2010 | Sister Havana (NZ) | General Nediym x Ultima Vita | Shelby Park | $40,000 Select Sale | Aquanita Racing | T & Mrs M Carroll, A Blackwood, R Clark, D Hodge, J Lilienstein, R Pfitzner & S Roberts | Liam Birchley | Stathi Katsidis |
| 2009 | The Heckler | Lucky Owners x Comedy Café | Woodridge Farm | $70,000 Select Sale | Peter Walker | Sir Patrick Hogan, A J Sutherland, A C Timpson & P J Walker | Murray and Bjorn Baker | Michael Rodd |
| 2008 | Vincent Mangano (NZ) | No Excuse Neededx Rationable | Waikato Stud | $80,000 Premier Sale | MR PN & MRS K MCKAY | T E Luke, Mrs K & P N McKay | Peter McKay | Vinnie Colgan |
2017 Karaka Million Order of Entry
The field for the 2017 $1 million dollar race has taken shape with Gift of Power (NZ) (Power), Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), Star Treaure (NZ) (Lonhro), Talaria (NZ) (O'Reilly), Padraig (NZ) (Power) and Felton Road (NZ) (Pins) holding the top six positions on the Order of Entry.
The final field of 14 runners will be announced this Wednesday (25 January).
The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie will be held on the eve of the 2017 Karaka Premier Sale, this Sunday 29 January. Tickets for a range of hospitality options are available from www.ellerslie.co.nz.
Karaka 2017 Schedule
- Karaka Million Twilight Meeting: Sunday 29 January
- Premier Sale: Monday 30 & Tuesday 31 January
- Select Sale: Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 February
- Festival Sale: Sunday 5 February
NZB's Yearling Sales Series catalogues are available on the free iPad application, can be collected from the Karaka Sales Centre or viewed online at www.nzb.co.nz.
