Karaka 3YO Million Produces Titanic Battle

Media Release - Saturday January 23

In a titanic tussle that lived up to the pre-race hype, Aegon kept his perfect record intact with a thrilling win over Amarelinha in Saturday’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.

Although the million-dollar race attracted a full field of 17 three-year-olds, the build-up was completely dominated by two horses.

Aegon (inner) gets the best of Amarelinha to win the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie Photo Credit: Kirstin Ledington

One was Aegon, whose three-from-three record included the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton and Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings. The other was Amarelinha, a stunning last-start winner of the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) over the same course and distance as the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.

Amarelinha started as the $2.10 favourite and was widely expected to continue the relentless winning roll of trainer Jamie Richards, jockey Danielle Johnson and the Te Akau Racing team. But Aegon, the only other runner in single figures at $2.60, crashed the party.

The top-class pair eyeballed each other in midfield for much of the race, then brought the crowd to their feet as they strode to the lead side by side halfway up the home straight.

Amarelinha appeared to be gaining the upper hand, but Aegon lifted again and prevailed, snatching victory by a head in one of the season’s standout races.

It was a remarkable training achievement by the Cambridge partnership of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, with Aegon not having raced since the 2000 Guineas on November 7. The son of Sacred Falls had an exhibition gallop at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and won a trial at Matamata on January 12.

“It’s a big thrill,” Baker said. “We’ve been very patient with this horse, and the staff at home have done a great job with him. It’s also a big achievement for my training partner Andrew, who selected him at the yearling sales.

“He’d never been tried right-handed before, but he was given a great ride from Leith Innes today and he’s delivered on a big stage.”

There was a more muted response from Forsman, who also bought Aegon for $150,000 as a yearling at Karaka and shares ownership with the Zame Partnership.

Advertisement

“It’s a bit of a relief, and I’m glad it’s over,” he said. “He’s a very good horse, and horses like him make trainers look good. It’s special to be racing a horse like this with such great people. It’s a dream.

“Leith is a big-race rider and did a brilliant job today, and it’s a great result. I’m very happy for the staff at home. We’ve had a bit of a lean time recently, we haven’t had the strength of team that we had a few seasons ago, so this is a real boost for them.”

Innes has ridden over 300 winners at Ellerslie in a high-class career in the saddle, but this was his first win in a Karaka Million race.

“It’s a great event, and there’s nothing better than winning one of the million-dollar races on a horse like this,” he said. “He’s very special.

“The turn of foot he showed in the straight was incredible, and when the filly came up beside him, he really fought in those last 50 metres.”

Aegon became the first horse to complete the New Zealand 2000 Guineas-Karaka Million 3YO Classic double.

The race was marred by Waimoku Falls dislodging rider Ashvin Goindasamy in the back straight. The Sacred Falls filly continued riderless and took Tannahill to the extreme outside rounding the home turn.

The former Waikato Stud stallion Sacred Falls, who tragically passed away in December 2019, will be represented by 13 individuals at the NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka which starts on Sunday January 24. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Karaka Million 3yo Classic LR 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:33.78
1
Aegon
- 3g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Toss Up (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
2
0.2
Amarelinha
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Hopscotch (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: D S Johnson 54.5
3
0.7
Montre Moi
- 3g Showcasing (GB) x Next (GB) (In The Wings (GB))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: L J Allpress 56.5
4
2.5
On Display
- 3g Showcasing (GB) x Gatestopper (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: D A Walker Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
5
3.8
Perfect Scenario
- 3g Iffraaj (GB) x Rosetti Bay (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
6
4.0
Dragon Queen
- 3f Sweynesse (AUS) x Happy Endings (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: T Yanagida 54.5
7
5.0
Lord Ardmore
- 3c Reliable Man (GB) x Outshine (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: S J McKee Rdr: S C Spratt 56.5
8
6.4
Zee Falls
- 3f Sacred Falls (NZ) x Zelitist (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 54.5
9
7.5
Screamin Eagle
- 3g Pins (AUS) x Youtoofast (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: Ms D Guy Rdr: D J Danis 56.5
10
8.3
Bella Button
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Miss Thorn (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54.5
11
9.4
Supreme Khan
- 3g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Angelica Hall (NZ) (Guillotine (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: T N Harris 56.5
12
10.6
Tannahill
- 3g Star Witness (AUS) x Cruise Control (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Campbell Rdr: W F Pinn 56.5
13
10.7
Gurtlyn
- 3f Dalghar (FR) x Lady Euro (NZ) (Perfectly Ready (AUS))
Tnr: A C Baker Rdr: C W Johnson 54.5
14
12.6
Invisible Spirit
- 3g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Invisible Coin (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
15
12.7
Beaune
- 3f Kermadec (NZ) x San Cristobel (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: T D Thornton 54.5
16
13.8
Edge Of Wonder
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Wonderworld (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: J Parkes 56.5
More Reading...
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
2025 Group I Belmont Stakes - Godolphin Celebrate Victory in Triple Crown Finale
Back in May, Godolphin had a rare magical 48 hours when they won the Group I Newmarket 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with all four of those star three year-olds scheduled to race over the last 48 hours – so how did they fare?
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Easter Segenhoe Stakes Double
Outstanding mare Joliestar (Zoustar) secured a third career G1 win with a staggering come-from-behind victory in today’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
G1 Pedigree Watch – Blueblood 3YOs Win Queensland Classics
A funny thing happened at Eagle Farm on Saturday when both the Group I BRC Queensland Derby (2400m) and Oaks (2200m) were won by 20-1 shots that had never won a stakes race, but they had two interesting things in common and that was very famous families and the Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral!
Levendi Thriving at Magnum Park in Tasmania
Magnum Park is proud to announce that their well credentialled young stallion Levendi will stand at the Old Beach property this spring.
Successive Stakes Wins For Flying Artie’s In Flight
With all her wins being on soft and heavy rated tracks, trainer Joe Pride has chased the rain of late with 4yo Flyng Artie mare In Flight winning the Listed BRC Bright Shadow Stakes last time out at Doomben, before scoring a late dive victory at Randwick on Saturday in the Listed ATC Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).
Kicked out of Australia - Jan Brueghel Wins G1 Coronation
The horse kicked out of Australia last spring as not having suitable scans to race in the Melbourne Cup, Jan Brueghel showed just what we missed out on seeing when taking out the Group I Betfred Coronation Cup (1m4f) at Epsom overnight.