David Ellis' Massive Karaka Contribution

Celebrating a century of yearling sales in New Zealand, it is import to acknowledge the significance of Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, who has been leading buyer for the past two decades at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

Ellis began buying yearlings in 1983 at the Trentham Yearling Sales, which commenced in 1927 and 61 sales were held there until 1987, before the sales shifted in 1988 to the Karaka Sales Complex, and New Zealand Bloodstock was formed to take over from Wrightson Bloodstock in 1996.

Ellis had been a significant buyer in the decade before becoming leading buyer in 2006, and although headed off in 2008, 2010, and 2011, he has otherwise ruled the roost. 

Pedigree expert and racing journalist Lloyd Jackson, who researched and wrote copy for the two books: Best Performers, and the National Yearling Sales 100 Years, said that Ellis has been a major force in the modern era.

“He’s been leading buyer for 17 of the past 20 years and that dominance speaks volumes as to just how impactful he has been for the local industry,” Jackson said.

“You cannot underestimate how significant his yearling purchasing has been, not only to the vendors that offer the horses for sale, but also to the overall success of New Zealand Bloodstock, the owners that take advantage of horses to be retained for racing in New Zealand, the training bases for Te Akau Racing and Te Akau Stud, and the degree to which the horses have performed.”

The overall success is possibly best reflected in Te Akau winning 16 Champion Trainer titles, and accolades including a stranglehold of consecutive wins from 2017 – 2023 in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), which they won again last year with Champion Two-Year-Old La Dorada (Super Seth).  

Testament to the achievements is also reflected in Te Akau having won 82 titles at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards, among them: 12 Champion Two-Year-Olds, 6 Champion Three-Year-Olds, 9 Champion Sprinter/Miler, 5 Champion Middle Distance, 8 NZB Filly of the Year, and 7 Horse of the Year.

While last season Te Akau recorded its 100th Group One victory when Return To Conquer (Snitzel) won the Sistema Stakes – of which Ellis has purchased horses to win 88 of those, with 61 coming from horses bought at Karaka.

Household names in racing, like Darci Brahma (Danehill), Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), Melody Belle (Commands), Probabeel (Savabeel), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Gingernuts (Iffraaj), Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), Xtravagant (Pentire), Maroofity (Maroof), King’s Chapel (King of Kings), and a host of others. 

The exploits by Ellis have certainly not come without recognition from the New Zealand thoroughbred industry, as in 2010 he won the Gallagher Agriculture and Primary Production Award, in 2017 the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Outstanding Contribution to Racing Excellence, in 2020 he was appointed as a Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM), and in 2025 he was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Ellis is preparing for the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales Series which begin at Karaka today. 

Along with the buying team comprising Mark Walker, assistant trainer Reece Trumper, bloodstock manager Marcus Corban, and veterinarians Dr Douglas Black Dr Ronan Costello and Dr Jack O'Brien, they made their initial inspections at the respective farms throughout December/January and have continued this past week at the sales grounds.