Ellerslie’s million-dollar occasion has the ‘sold out’ signs up

The Karaka Millions night is a sell out. Photo: Trish Dunell

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) confirmed today, Monday 22 January, that the TAB Karaka Millions on Saturday 27 January is officially sold out.

The event is Ellerslie’s first premier raceday since the installation of a world-class StrathAyr track and is the Club’s first unrestricted raceday in four years as a result of the pandemic and aforementioned track reconstruction project.

Attracting almost unprecedented levels of interest since tickets went on sale in December 2023, hospitality sold out within days of launch and the sales reached 10,000 people on Saturday 20 January with general admission also selling out. There will be no further tickets available.

With a capacity crowd of 12,000 expected on the night, a provision has been allowed for ATR members, their guests, and owners of the runners taking to the track. Owners will receive access information from the Club this week once fields are confirmed.

The event features a six-race card including the $1.5 TAB Karaka Millions 3YO, the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO, the $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic, the Gr.2 Westbury Classic, the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy and the Gr.3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap.

ATR CEO, Paul Wilcox, is thrilled that Ellerslie’s return to the spotlight has garnered such interest from the racing and event going public.

“The TAB Karaka Millions is one of Ellerslie’s most significant racedays and interest in this year’s event has surpassed our expectations,” he said.

“It’s created a real sense of excitement in the industry and we’re working hard to create an event that is befitting of our return to the racing spotlight.

“Saturday will be the culmination of many years of hard work from the ATR team and we can’t wait to welcome a capacity crowd oncourse to celebrate with us.”

Gates for the TAB Karaka Millions open at 2.30pm on Saturday 27 January at Ellerslie Racecourse with the first race scheduled for approximately 4.19pm.