Light up the night at this spectacular event
Thousands of entertainment-seekers converge on course here at Ellerslie each year for an incredible combination of socialising, racing & entertainment.
A staple date in many an Aucklander’s calendar, the Karaka Million draws a stylish crowd from far & wide to celebrate an extraordinary event.
For little over one minute, a glittering crowd will hold its breath as 14 of the country’s most promising two-year-old thoroughbred horses & some of our best jockeys compete for their share of one of NZ’s richest sporting purses – the $1,000,000 Karaka Million 2YO.
And if one million-dollar contest wasn’t enough, we've got another million dollar race - the $1,000,000 Karaka Million 3YO Classic – and more Group status races run in support.
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Click here to see the $1,000,000 races order of entry
Off the track, the party is just as rich with the who’s who of racing mixing with an influx of Auckland’s social set in any number of sell-out precincts on course.
We've also got FREE children's entertainment including a bouncy castle.
The racecourse absolutely buzzes from the get-go and, once we've set the night alight with something that's guaranteed to make your insta-story; all racegoers are welcome to converge in Cuvée* where we carry the party on 'til late with The CVE and then Hamish Crocker OR The Winning Post Bar* which will also remain open.
RSVP to this event on Facebook and invite your friends
*R18; raceday dress code applies; intoxicated persons not permitted or tolerated
"This highly-anticipated event calls for luxurious fashion with a touch of glamour."
Make sure you're across the dress code as it is enforced in all areas on course, with the exception of General Admission.
After the event we're running a people's choice award on our Facebook page whereby the outfit with the most "likes" will win its wearer a four day rental from My Designer Handbag valued at $150.
Event schedule*
3.00pm - General admission gates, Ascot Stand & the Garden Party open. A bouncy
castle and swing ball sets are open for free use by children on the Newmarket Lawn
too!
If you're coming through the main gates, say hi to our DJ Murray who's mixing it up
on the vinyls
3.30pm - All other hospitality options open
4.00pm - Exhibition gallop: Concert Hall
4.30pm - Race 1: $100,000 Collinsonforex Karaka Cup
Go & get your photo taken with the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup trophy which is outside the Raceday Office (available until 6pm)
5.10pm - Race 2: Group III $70,000 Henley Park Mr Tiz Trophy
5.20pm - Exhibition gallop: Melody Belle and Te Akau Shark
5.50pm - Race 3: Group III $70,000 Preferment @ Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap
6.00pm - Last chance to enter the Hawaiian Airlines Pick the Winner competition! Entries close at 6.15pm
6.30pm - Race 4: Listed $1,000,000 Karaka Million 2YO
THEN Hawaiian Airlines Pick the Winner drawn & announced on the presentation dais (winner must present themselves with photographic ID at the Raceday Office within ten minutes of the announcement or it will be redrawn)
7.08pm - Race 5: Group II $100,000 Westbury Classic
7.42pm - Race 6: Listed $1,000,000 Karaka Million 3YO Classic
THEN:
All bars close shortly after the last race except the Cavallo Club (Newmarket Lawn), Cuvée and the Winning Post (Ground floor, Ascot Stand)**. All guests that are on course are welcome into both Cuvée & The Winning Post until the event closes; however please note that a dress code applies, these are R18 areas, entry may be refused depending on numbers in the space and intoxicated persons will not be permitted or tolerated.
AND ALSO:
Cavallo Club - Live acoustic performance from Josh Leys until 9.15pm (approx)
Cuvée - Live performance from The CVE until 9.15pm (approx)
9.15pm - We set the night alight
LATER:
Hamish Crocker playing live in Cuvée until event close
* Please note timings are approximate & may be subject to change
**Should the bars & toilets in Cuvée be at capacity after the last race, additional facilities are open in The Winning Post Bar
Don't miss out on Auckland's million dollar party!
From a relaxed general admission approach, through to the party atmosphere of the Garden Party, Italy-inspired Cavallo Club, indoor dining of Silks, your own private function or more - this night has something for everyone.
With two million dollar races & group races in support, this truly is NZ's richest night of racing.
The two $1,000,000 features are only open to those horses sold through New Zealand Bloodstock's national yearling sale and they qualify through either stakes money won (2-year-old race) or rating (three-year-old race).
The hottest spot on course... non ci piove!
Back by popular demand after its launch in 2019, this pop-up slice of Italy is a fantastic spot to soak up the evening's electric atmosphere.
Tickets $90 per person & are first-in, first-served.
CAPACITY EXTENDED ONE LAST TIME - SELLING FAST.
Enter our “Pick the Winner” competition on the evening and you could be winging your way there!
Simply pick which horse you think will win the Karaka Million 2YO Classic, pop your entry in the corresponding box before entries close AND, if your pick wins the race, you’ll go in the draw to win 100,000 Hawaiian Airlines air miles PLUS three nights’ accommodation at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. **
Gather the squad & pop the bubbles!
If you’re looking for people-watching prospects & an excuse to let your hair down on Auckland’s million dollar night, the Garden Party is the precinct for you.
Tickets $59 per person - SOLD OUT
The lads from Boys Get Paid are returning to the Karaka Million for a third year to run the country's biggest-ever Punters Club.
Their aim? Beat the bookies and get everyone who's involved sorted with a payday!
If you want to have some experts do the selecting for you, then click the button below to learn more.
New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million proudly supported by:
Event information
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BYO alcohol is not permitted anywhere on-site, however guests aged 18yr+ can purchase alcoholic beverages from bars on site
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You're able to bring your own picnic food & unopened, non-alcoholic beverages into outdoor public / general admission areas on course & can purchase alcoholic beverages from bars on site. There are a number of food outlets on site too. BYO food & non-alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any hospitality precinct or the Ascot Stand
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There is a dress code in all hospitality precincts (including Silks, the Cavallo Club, the Garden Party and the after-party in Cuvée) and the Ascot Stand. While we hate turning people away, the dress code will be enforced as required and entry will be refused if it is not adhered to. Please ensure anyone you are purchasing tickets for is aware of this.
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Free parking is available on course on a first-in, first-served basis. Any cars left overnight in the Southern Motorway carpark will be towed as there is a car fair taking place the following day (Sunday)
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We strongly encourage you taxi to the track and leave your car at home. Don’t drink and drive, use our preferred taxi supplier Auckland Co-op Taxi who will drop off / pick up at the main entrance or infield. Ring 09 300 3000 to book
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We encourage responsible drinking & intoxicated persons will not be granted entry into Ellerslie Racecourse
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Ellerslie Racecourse is located close to public transport networks including the Greenlane Train Station which is a 600m walk away
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Tickets are non-refundable
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Whilst cash-out and eftpos facilities are available, we recommend you bring cash to help keep queues at bars & totes to a minimum
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Promotional photographs, social media content & film footage will be taken at this event. By entering the racecourse, event-goers consent to use of their image by the Club & New Zealand Racing Board for promotional purposes
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Event terms & conditions apply
** Entrants must be aged 18 years+. The winner must be on course & present themselves (with photographic identification) at the Raceday Office within ten minutes of the prize draw otherwise it will be redrawn. Further competition and prize partner Ts & Cs apply.