It's Karaka Millions' Eve

NZB reports:

NZB's 2024 TAB Karaka Millions raceday will set Ellerslie Racecourse alight tomorrow, where our sales graduates will take to the track to compete for a share in the $1 million plus features. 

This Saturday 27 January, New Zealand's most lucrative sporting event will see the running of the:

$1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m)

$1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m)

$1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (Open 4YO 1600m)  ... and ...

Three other quality Group races

The twilight meeting is just 12 months after yearlings made their sale ring debut, with them now eligible to compete in the million dollar two-year-old feature. The 2024 running is shaping up to be an exciting event, with barriers drawn and fields finalised. 

Another twelve months later and Karaka graduates get their second chance at the pie, in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). It will be a rematch for several, last year's Karaka Millions 2YO first and second placegetters lining up alongside some very smart Group One proven three-year-olds.

The TAB Karaka Millions is by far the highlight on the domestic racing calendar each year. Whether you are indulging in the spine-tingling atmosphere at Ellerslie, or watching from afar, the action-packed night of racing will be sure to set thousands of hearts racing.

Quick Facts About the Event: 

Barrier 1 and barrier 14 have had the most wins for the 2YO race. They both have a success rate of 18.75% (3 wins). No horse in the 2YO race has ever won in barrier 6.

 On the contrary, Barrier 6 has had the most wins for the 3YO, with a success rate of 33.33% (4 wins).

The highest priced horse in the 2YO feature this year is Macaluso who was purchased for $600,000. On the other end of the scale, the most inexpensive horse is Sunrise who was purchased for $30,000.

Three horses in the 3YO race were purchased for $600,000 or more, being Ethereal Star ($600,000), Orchestral ($625,000) and Geriatrix ($675,000). Royal Destroyer is the most inexpensive at a purchase price of $36,000.

Champion sire Savabeel is represented by four runners in the 2YO race, they are Cool 'n' Fast, Savaglee, Macaluso and Damask Rose (balleted).

Three stallions in the 3YO race are represented by two runners each, they are U S Navy Flag, Satono Aladdin and Embellish. 

Three vendors are represented by two runners each in the 2YO race. Inglewood Stud (Velocious and Force of Law), Kilgravin (So Naive and Full Force) and Mapperley Stud (Beau Dazzler and Maracatu).   

The vendor with the most representation in the 3YO race is Rich Hill Stud with an incredible three runners (Tokyo Tycoon, Lupo Solitario and The Weapon). While Cambridge Stud and Haunui Farm have two runners each. 

Te Akau Racing have won the past seven Karaka Millions 2YO races (since 2017) and will be looking to contest their eighth consecutive victory this year.

Champion jockey Opie Bosson has won five Karaka Millions races. He had a four-year winning streak until 2021, and won again in 2022.

International jockeys who have won the Karaka Millions features are Michael Rodd (AUS, 2009), Stathi Katsidis (AUS, 2010) and Craig Williams (AUS, 2012 & 2013).

Waikato Stud has won the most Karaka Millions races as a vendor, with six wins across the 2YO and 3YO races.

New Zealand's richest sporting event sets the scene for NZB's Karaka 2024 National Yearling Sales Series, where the following day will see the start of over 1,100 yearlings go under the hammer at the Karaka Sales Centre from 28 January - 2 February. Domestic and international buyers will have the chance to secure their next Karaka Millions runner or champion racehorse.  

Not to mention the new Karaka Millions BONUSES

The iconic TAB Karaka Millions raceday will become even bigger with NZB joining forces with Entain to introduce an additional $400,000 in available bonuses for horses offered at the 2024 National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

The $200,000 New Owners Bonus will be won by the first horse across the finish line in the 2025 $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO that has 50% or more of the ownership being held by first-time owners. 

The $200,000 Book 2 Bonus will be won by the first horse across the finish line in the 2026 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO that was offered in NZB’s Book 2 Sale in January 2024. For more about the new Karaka Millions bonuses, visit NZB online.

We wish the best of luck to all runners on Saturday and we look forward to welcoming all to Karaka for the best week on the sales calendar.