Te Akau TV - Karaka Millions Preview

'HERE COMES THE TANGERINE ARMY'

Team Te Akau has MILLIONS of reasons why this weekend is one you won’t want to miss - and as TAB Karaka Millions' day arrives once again, the excitement is building across the stable!

Few race days on the New Zealand calendar carry the same anticipation, history and significance as Karaka Millions' day. It’s a meeting that brings together elite racing, future champions, and the unique connection between the Karaka sale ring and the racetrack - and Te Akau Racing’s record on this stage speaks for itself - it's incomparable.

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM has established a phenomenal legacy in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO, having purchased eight of the past nine winners of the race - a record it would be hard to find the equal of anywhere in the world with major races.

That honour roll reads like a who’s who of modern champions.

Melody Belle captured the race in 2017 before going on to become a dual Horse of the Year and national record-holder Of Group 1 victories (14). Avantage followed in 2018, going on to winning nine Group 1's and earning Champion Two-Year-Old honours. Probabeel took the title in 2019 and went on to create history by completing the Karaka Millions double as a three-year-old, a feat not replicated to date. She too becoming a dual Horse of the Year.

Cool Aza Beel scored in 2020, going on to be Champion 2YO, On The Bubbles lit up Ellerslie in 2021, Dynastic impressed in 2022, and Tokyo Tycoon delivered a breathtaking performance in 2023 to also claim Champion Two-Year-Old status. Most recently, in 2025, La Dorada added her name to the list with a tough and memorable victory, before progressing to Group One success, Champion Two-Year-Old honours, and becoming the first to surpass $1 million in prize money in her debut juvenile season.

Every one of those winners was identified, purchased and developed via the Karaka sale ring - and once again, on the eve of the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales' Series, Te Akau lines up with a powerful and exciting hand.

This week on Te Akau TV we catch up with Sam Bergerson from Karaka ahead of what promises to be a blockbuster evening of racing awaits at Ellerslie, with feature after feature headlining the programme.

GROUP 3 CAMBRIDGE STUD ALMANZOR TROPHY

Te Akau has a huge hand to play in the Group 3 three-year-old sprint with five runners: To Bravery Born, King’s English, In Haste, Drops Of God and Belle Cheval all taking their place in what shapes as a deep and competitive contest.

TAB KARAKA MILLIONS 2YO | $1,000,000

The spotlight then turns to the race that has defined so much of Te Akau’s modern success. Te Akau will be represented by Kinnaird with Opie Bosson, Out Of The Blue for the Tangerine Army syndicate with Craig Williams and Zaharias with Rory Hutchings, three exciting two-year-olds who each bring genuine credentials into the $1 million feature.

What makes this race particularly special is the sale-to-saddle story behind them. All three were purchased at Karaka less than a year ago, developed through the Te Akau system, and now line up on one of the biggest stages in New Zealand racing - a perfect reflection of what the Karaka Millions is all about.

TAB KARAKA MILLIONS 3YO | $1,500,000

Defending champion La Dorada returns to Ellerslie with the winning 2YO Millions combo with Craig Williams heading for the double, lining up alongside He Who Dares with Opie Bosson in the $1.5 million three-year-old feature. La Dorada, last year’s two-year-old winner, will be chasing the rare Karaka Millions double, a feat previously achieved by Probabeel.

GROUP 1 SISTEMA RAILWAY

The evening concludes with elite Group 1 sprinting in the $700,000 Sistema Railway, where Espionage lines up in the Coolmore colours, adding further depth, quality and intrigue to an already outstanding field and with Australian jockey Damian Lane on board it's going to be a good watch.

It’s not just Ellerslie lighting up the weekend. Te Akau also fields runners across Pukekura, Riccarton Park with strong representation throughout the day and competitive chances engaged across multiple races. It’s a truly stacked Saturday of racing for the stable from top to bottom as we cross the ditch to Australia For I Am Aria and GeeGees Misstruth headlining for the Cranbourne stable at Caulfield.

Karaka Millions weekend is about more than just one night - it’s about elite performance, proven pathways from the sale ring to raceday, and the excitement of identifying and developing the next generation of champions.

FROM SALE RING TO RACE DAY - AND BACK AGAIN

What makes Karaka Millions' weekend so special is the simple fact that every horse lining up in the Karaka Millions 2YO and 3YO was purchased right here at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales.

This is racing at its purest - sale to saddle - where yearlings bought through the Karaka ring develop into elite racehorses competing for seven-figure prize money on one of the biggest stages in the country.

And the journey doesn’t stop on Saturday night.

From 10am on Sunday morning, Te Akau returns to the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sales, hunting for the next Karaka Millions' winner, the next Champion Two-Year-Old, and the next horse to add their name to an already remarkable honour roll.

This is where it all begins! We invite you to follow our Karaka journey closely across our website and social channels as we assess, inspect and purchase yearlings across a range of budgets - giving owners the opportunity to be involved at the very start of the process.

Whether you’re an existing owner or considering getting involved for the first time, Karaka offers a unique chance to join a proven pathway, backed by decades of success and experience.

As history shows, today’s yearling could be tomorrow’s Karaka Millions' star.

We wish all our owners, connections and supporters the very best of luck this weekend. Enjoy the racing, soak up the atmosphere, and as always - GO THE TANGERINE!