Ellerslie Racecourse re-opens with a bang with the TAB Karaka Millions, New Zealand’s richest horseracing day. Ellerslie closed for a turf upgrade in 2022. NZ$4.45 million is up for grabs on the day with the new addition of a million-dollar four-year-old thoroughbred race. All premium ticket packages are sold out, but General Admission will be available on the day.
The TAB Karaka Millions
New Zealand’s premier racecourse will be showing off its new fancy turf with the upcoming TAB Karaka Millions raceday on January 27, 2024. All hospitality package tickets have sold out, but General Admission is still available for purchase online and on the day. The annual race is on the eve of the Karaka New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale.
Only thoroughbreds purchased through Karaka’s NZB Yearling Sales are eligible to enter in the Magic Millions races. Twelve months after purchase, the yearlings can age into participating in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO race. Over three hundred horses are eligible for entry into the 2YO race this year. A position in the line-up is very hotly contested.
Three-year-olds, sold through the NZB Sales, can enter the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO – a one-and-a-half million dollar staked race. And now, for the first time this year, a new open 4YO million-dollar race will be held. Elsdon Park, a well-known breeding farm in Karaka, is sponsoring the new addition, the $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic.
For seven years in a row the Te Arau Racing syndicate has won the 2YO race. On this, the 17th running of the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO race, on-lookers are eager to see who the syndicate will enter into the line-up.
The New Turf
Almost two years of closure and $50 million has been invested in future-proofing Ellerslie’s turf. StrathAyr, an Australian company, removed tens of thousands of tonnes of soil, replacing it with their specialised layered mediums. The StrathAyr turf is renowned for its ability to drain large amounts of water quickly and well.
Auckland, where Ellerslie is located, has flooding issues. Large amounts of rain can ruin the turf, causing it to easily get chopped up by hooves in a horserace. That the new turf at Ellerslie can be firm and dry after over two metres of rain (in last year’s Auckland Anniversary flood) is a blessing that is appreciated by horserace lovers across the world.
Turf damage causes races to be cancelled and is a costly universal reality – until now. After heavy rain, whole race days are usually postponed. The fewer days a track is closed equates directly to more money coming in, and the reliability is valued.
Better cushioning from a sound, springy surface that is without irregularity reduces injury in horses and increases performance. Good turf creates a better reputation for a racecourse and attracts a better quality of horses and jockeys.
Stakes and Races on the Day
On our website, you can read more about betting on the horses in New Zealand, and below, you can find the stake and races on the day:
$1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic 4YO (1600m) $500,000 Group Two Westbury Classic (1400m) $225,000 Group Three Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (1200m) $225,000 Group Three Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m)
