He's worth a million dollars

Scott Base (Dalghar (FR) out of Extra Celestial (AUS)) will forever be captured in the history books as the first-ever winner of the $1million Karaka 3YO Classic.

The strapping chestnut was a $22.10 outsider when he stormed to the finish, making it two Karaka Millions for co-trainer Benner and co-owner Rutten, who won the two-year-old race with Vespa back in 2014.

Scott Base after his $1 million dollar win

A $70,000 purchase from the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, Scott Base went on to further prove his class winning both the Group 2 Japan Trophy and the Group 2 Wellington Guineas before he was retired.

His unique moniker came about as Chris Rutten’s son was working at Scott Base at the time of his purchase and they felt naming a horse after that experience was a fitting tribute.

Scott Base surges clear of pacemaker The Mitigator in the Group 2 Japan Trophy at Tauranga. Photo credit – Trish Dunell

Chris Rutten commented at the time of his retirement that “someone has been following him and really liked him and asked years ago that when he finished racing she would like him. He is going to a really good home.”

The lucky recipient of this million-dollar boy? Julie Parkinson.

Scott Base on set at a photo shoot here at Ellerslie in January 2022

Scott Base changed disciplines in September of 2020 and within a month he was out winning in the show ring with Julie.

He has won many champions and has recently also made his dressage debut with plenty of high scores and wins to his name there as well.

Champion! Julie and Scott Base competing in the show ring

COVID-19 allowing, Scott Base will next be out and about at the Beyond the Barriers competition at Equifest with the goal of competing at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show firmly on his radar.

Julie also has plans to go further afield with her boy and has the 2023 edition of the Sydney Royal Horse Show in her sights.

She tells us that he has a home with her for life and will enjoy a lovely paddock retirement when he eventually hangs up his showing shoes.

We were lucky enough to welcome Scott Base back to Ellerslie earlier this month for a wee photoshoot so keep an eye out for this beautiful boy in some of our upcoming advertising.

ATR ambassadors, Hannah and Carena, flanked by 10x G1 winner Mufhasa and $1million Karaka 3YO Classic winner, Scott Base

A testament to the versatile nature of the thoroughbred, Scott Base is a true champion in our eyes and we wish both him and Julie well for the upcoming showing season.