2020 Queen's Birthday Honour for Hamilton's David Ellis

Chloe Blommerde, Waikato Times reports:

David Ellis' love for the thoroughbred industry started at the age of 18.

48-years-later years later he is appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list.

It all started when Ellis and his best friend went to the races with $12 in his pocket but left with $80.

"I was hooked on the excitement, the beauty of the animals, and I loved the people," Ellis told Stuff.

He is principal of Te Akau Stud and Racing Stables in New Zealand and Singapore and is a significant leader in the New Zealand horse racing industry.

A "proud kiwi through and through and will work with the industry" until his dying days.

The news came during lockdown when Ellis noticed an email from The Honours Unit.

"I thought what's all this about, I had no idea it would be what it was. The first thing I did was have a cup of tea with my wife, Karyn. I kept shaking my head in disbelief... I was completely surprised and humbled to be recognised by our community and country.

"It was a personal honour, but it also recognised the people and organisation I have worked with over so many years... the New Zealand thoroughbred industry is highly regarded.

Ellis and his wife were so busy in lockdown, they still haven't had time to celebrate.

Dedicating many years to creating opportunities for young people and helping them achieve their goals was always part of his life focus.

"I have watched so many young people grow and achieve, it's satisfying for myself and Karyn."

Ellis has purchased and trained horses that have won 35 Champion titles, succeeding at elite levels nationally and internationally. For the past 16-years, Ellis and Karyn have been the leading buyers at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale which ensures top-class horses are bought and trained to strengthen the industry.

He has purchased horses from $15,000 to $875,000 and has once paid up to $2 million on a single horse.

"The highlight in my career was winning the premiership in Singapore and New Zealand in the same season. In Singapore the trainer was Mark Walker, he has worked with Te Akau Racing for 30-years and in New Zealand, it was Jamie Richards. Jamie is rated number nine in the world as a trainer.

"We have won the last four Karaka million-dollar two-year-old races consecutively, and this year won the race for both the two-year-old and three-year-old on the same night. This was done for the first time ever in the history of the Karaka Yearling Sales."

It has been a hardworking road for Ellis, working three jobs after graduating from Massey University with a Diploma in agriculture.

"I started work at 4:30am in the freezing works and painted houses from 3pm to 9:00pm three-days a week. In the weekends I poured petrol. By 1979 I had enough money to own my own farm in Waimai Valley, Te Akau."

Ellis purchased the 575 acre property for $215,000. He sold wool at $6.15 a kilo, which "is now worth $1.30 a kilo and bred 3000 ewes."

But now the industry Ellis knows like the back of his hand is rapidly changing due to Covid-19.

"We are lucky to have a minister of racing [Winston Peters] that understands the huge contribution horse racing has on the general economy.

"There will be some changes that take place... the cost of running the industry got out of control over the last 10 or a dozen years, I think this will be a good opportunity to get this under control. There are too many racetracks in New Zealand, around 57, which we probably only need around 30 to 35.

There were 11 recipients in the Queen Birthday Honours List from the Waikato.

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