David Ellis - Karaka's Leading Buyer Again

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM remained leading buyer for the 16^th consecutive year at the recently completed New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

Our research shows that Ellis is the leading buyer of yearlings in the world, with auction houses in Australia, U.K., and America, confirming they had no clients to match the record.

Ellis made 39 purchases at the sale that commenced a day after Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards, who recently became the fastest to 100 wins in a season, saddled On the Bubbles to win the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and gave the stable its fifth consecutive victory in the race.

Owned by Te Akau Splash Of Dom Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), On the Bubbles was purchased by Ellis last January at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, for $90,000 and the unbeaten gelding has now won $574,800.

Having a whale of a season, the stable also houses dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle, who equalled Sunline (Desert Sun) on 13 Group Ones when winning the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) last Saturday at Trentham. Former Karaka Million winner and Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage recently extended her Group One tally to six, after wins in the Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m), and history maker Probabeel, the first to win both Karaka Million races, has notched her two Group One wins in Australia.

But while the stars are shining so too is the core, with Richards breaking the record for fastest 100 in a season by three months. Already, he has produced 24 stakes' winners in NZ & Australia, surpassing 20 last season, includes seven Group Ones, and $4.78m prize money.

Interestingly, too, and not to be overlooked, Ellis has bought horses that have dominated in the richest races - 16 in the past five years.

“In the last five years there have been thirteen $1 million races and horses I've bought have had seven wins, eight seconds, and a third,” Ellis said. “We started with Melody Belle winning the Karaka Million and Gingernuts the Derby in 2017, then successive Karaka Millions with Avantage, Probabeel, Cool Aza Beel, and On The Bubbles, and Probabeel again last year in the 3YO Classic. And those that finished second were Embellish, Al Hasa, Mongolianconqueror, Aotea Lad, The Real Beel, In A Twinkling, Sneaky Shark, and Amarelinha, while Avonallo (bought by Chris Rutten) finished third this year in the Karaka Million 2YO.

All the success, coupled with the quality of yearlings recently purchased by Ellis has meant shares are selling fast.

“Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and the office team are working day and night, doing an extremely good job, and I think most of the horses will be sold in a fortnight,” he said. “It's going enormous.

“There is more demand from both new and existing owners this year than ever before. I think it has a lot to do with NZTR (New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing) being properly run and the TAB has made some hard decisions.

“The elimination in duty gives the industry another $12m per year. Racefields' legislation is now set and giving the industry another $15-$20m per year and with the TAB taking $25m per year out in costs, a lot of people are telling me they can see good progress being made.

“Now, it's absolutely essential that we get the right people on the new TAB Board. We need fresh blood involved, not anyone who has had their chance and not delivered. We want a board that works for the benefit of the people that make our industry happen, and we want a board that will give this industry every opportunity to prosper. It's time officials and politicians worked for the industry's betterment and not any personal aspiration, so let's hope the right people are put in charge and that they pull together to make a roaring success out of our great industry.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our country, and racing is not far behind it in terms of providing tremendous entertainment and sport and importantly, jobs. It's a big employer, and through syndication and syndicators doing a really good job we're seeing a real resurgence in just how much people love horse racing. We just need the right backing from the top.”

Ellis was also buoyed from his recent discussions with new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Racing Rt. Hon. Grant Robertson.

“I was very, very impressed with Grant in the time we had to speak together,” Ellis said. “He's a really intelligent guy that is determined to see the contribution that New Zealand racing makes to the general economy is recognised.

“He has a good grasp of what NZ racing is trying to achieve and how he can help. And, he has the seniority in his Party to get it done. I think we're very fortunate to have him as the new racing minister, and I think he realises he has the opportunity to shine on behalf of everyone involved.”

As usual, at the sales, Ellis purchased yearlings at a wide range of prices, from the sale topping $800,000 for a Zoustar filly to $20,000 for a Tavistock colt.

“I buy because I like the horse as an individual and sometimes you're pleasantly surprised to get them under budget, while other times you have to pay a bit a more to buy the ones you want,” he said.

“I thought the sale overall was an outstanding success. Quite incredible really, when in a pandemic, I was so proud to be a New Zealander and see a New Zealand company (New Zealand Bloodstock - NZB) absolutely nail it in everything it did.

“NZB is a company that everyone in the racing and breeding industry, and indeed everybody in New Zealand, can be extremely proud of. At every level, they nailed it.  I thought the buying was normal competition. Initially, I thought it may have been weaker without the offshore presence, but it was very strong on the good lots.”

Given the success of Te Akau horses recently in Australia, headed by Group One winners Melody Belle, Probabeel and Te Akau Shark, Ellis is also fielding interest and a flow on effect.

“We've got a lot of investment from Australia in the last ten days, at all levels,” he said. “It's interesting that retired Australian racing commentator Bryan Martin has a share in our Karaka Million winner On The Bubbles, and he's very well known. And people in Australia are recognising that Te Akau is buying good horses, and they want to be part of it.

“I worked out when I first set up stable in 1985 that if you want to train good horses then you've got to go and buy them and syndicate them, and it's never changed. We want to train the best, so you've got to go and buy them, and although it's very hard work and takes a lot of energy by a lot of people I'm sure it's the best method.”

“If you're running a commercial stable you've got to put your hand up and buy these young horses and then have the energy to get them syndicated and sold.”

John Elstob, whose business is SVS Veterinary Supplies while also Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club, is a loyal owner of horses with Te Akau Racing.

“It's fantastic and it's something that both Denise and I love and enjoy,” Elstob said. “We have a lot of fun and meet some great people in the partnerships and have fun with them as well. It's all part of the whole thing.

“We've been pretty successful and David (Ellis) and his team have a real talent for selecting a good bunch of yearlings we can choose from.

“We've been out to the farm since the sales and had a guided tour with David in his SUV and he's shown us all the yearlings. We'll put our hand up for a few more. We're happy for David to do the suggesting and point us in the right direction and we can make decisions from there. I'm not a yearling buyer or understand yearlings and more than happy to listen to the expert.

“We like to buy horses by a few different sires and buy horses that will come on at different times and stages in their life. We bought into Entriviere when she became available as an unraced four-year-old and she's won four from five, including the Group 3 Concorde on Karaka Million night.

“It's bloody exciting and we're looking forward to Amarelinha coming up next Saturday at Waikato Racing Club's big day. Jamie (Richards) said she'll most likely run in the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies' Classic.

“Our highlight this season was Boxing Day at Ellerslie, when we had shares in three winners: Amarelinha, Brando, Entriviere. Ten there was Imperatriz winning her Group 2 on New Year's Day as well.  We love it and it is great fun.”