Karaka Million 2YO

With prize pool of NZ$1 million, the Karaka Million is New Zealand’s richest horse race. Only two-year-olds purchased from the Karaka Horse Sales are eligible.

First run in 2008 at Ellerslie, the 1200m feature has increased in popularity with trainers, owners and punters – especially with Australian-based connections.

The title has gone to Australian trainers on three occasions with Sister Havana, Ockham’s Razor and Hardline. The Karaka Million is so popular that trainers from around Australasia are buying horses specifically for the late-January feature.

Betting on the Karaka Million is available throughout the summer months as the final field starts to take shape.

2022 Karaka Million 2YO Betting Odds

The 2022 Karaka Million 2YO odds as of January 21 look like this:

• Dynastic – $3.30
• Wolverine – $3.80
• Fellini – $6.00
• Pacific Dragon – $9.50
• Time Flies – $13.00
• Diss Is Dramatic – $14.00

Complete Karaka Million odds available at Sportsbet.

Best Karaka Million bookmakers

All of our Australian-based online bookmakers offer betting on the Karaka Million in New Zealand.

Being a race which attracts attention on both sides of the Tasman, the bookmakers know how important it is to frame early markets for the Ellerslie feature.

All-in betting is available in the months leading up to the race and final field betting will be available during the week of the race.

Sport Table

2021 Karaka Million result

Recent Karaka Million winners

• 2021: Te Akau extends Karaka Million dominance
  A brilliant performance by On The Bubbles, chased home by three of his stablemates, has added another chapter to trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team’s incredible dominance of the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m).T he undefeated Brazen Beau gelding overcame a horror draw for an emphatic victory at Ellerslie on Saturday, scoring by a length and three-quarters from stablemates Sneaky Shark, Avonallo and Sophisticardo. Richards and the Te Akau syndication juggernaut have now won the Karaka Million 2YO five years in a row, and unprecedented clean sweep of the first four placings follows two previous quinellas and a trifecta. “I’ve always said that racing is an opportunity to make dreams into reality,” syndicate manager Karyn Fenton-Ellis said.
• 2020: Opie & Richards combo make it four
  Te Akau Racing’s stranglehold on the Karaka Million two-year-old race has extended to its fourth consecutive year with Cool Aza Beel taking out the million-dollar feature at Ellerslie. New Zealand’s racing powerhouse began its run with Melody Belle in 2017 and followed with Avantage and Probabeel. “It’s awesome,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “It’s a really great way to start the biggest week of the year for us. Te Akau’s four successive winners have been ridden by Opie Bosson with Cool Aza Beel beating Play That Song and Taroni. “I saw the favourite’s head come up beside me, but I have to give credit to my horse – he gave a really good kick in the straight,” Bosson said. “It’s a great result and a privilege to be part of the Te Akau team.”
• 2019: Opie Bosson makes it three in a row with Probabeel
  Probabeel was a pre-race favourite heading into the 2019 2YO, but a wide draw saw the horse drift out longer than she probably should have. Settling towards the rear of the field, another Opie Bosson peach saw the filly in the mix when the whips were cracking and ultimately saw her stream away to record a comfortable win.
• 2018: Jamie Richards trains another winner
  Avantage took out the 2018 Karaka Million in stylish fashion. Under a great ride from Opie Bosson the $3 favourite hit the front at the 100m ahead of long-time leader Bocce to record the win coming away. Al Hasa ran into second and the leader into the straight Bocce clung on for third.
• 2017: Melody Belle stuns the world winning at big odds
  Melody Belle caused an upset in 2017 when winning at odds of $32.40. The Te Akau-raced filly was a winner of only one race from three starts leading into the feature, but after a gun ride from jockey Opie Bosson, the daughter of Commands kicked strongly at the top of the straight and quickly established a big break on the field. The well-favoured Hasahalo closed strongly with Blake Shinn in the saddle, but it wasn’t enough as Melody Belle was clear in front. Read full report.
• 2016: Xiong Feng scores it's biggest career win
  Xiong Feng scored its biggest career win in 2016 when winning the Karaka Million. The McKee/Chippendale-trained gelding had good form prior to the race, but paid $11.90 for the win and $2.80 for the place. The son of Iffraaj was ridden by Danielle Johnson and although it didn’t perform on the big stage since that win, it has since been transferred to Singapore where the owners are based.
• 2015: Another Aussie trained horse claims victory
  Liam Birchley loves targetting the Karaka Million and he scored the riches in 2015 with Hardline. The two-year-old by Showcasing was respected in the betting at $7.80 after showing solid form in Australia, which was good enough to win the feature. It defeated the likes of recent Australian winner Dal Cielo and top New Zealand runner Selfie, in what proved to be a good form guide.

Karaka Million past winners list

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