Karaka 2025 Is Here!

26 January, 2025

It was a night for the ages last night, winning BOTH the TAB Karaka Millions! And now we’re back to where it all started for La Dorada and Damask Rose – and you could join us as we search for our next champion to chase another Karaka Million victory!

The past three months have been a whirlwind for Team Te Akau. The buildup to the Karaka Sale is intense, yet it's a period we relish. It started with the Magic Millions sale this month and pre-sale inspections in NSW from November, and we've been hitting the ground running ever since, preparing to find the next Group 1 winner for the Tangerine.

We’re all guns blazing, pinpointing and acquiring promising talents for the next generation of Tangerine success stories. We're on the hunt for our 8th Karaka 2YO Million winner, our next NZB Filly of the Year, our next Group 1 champion!
Leading buyer over the past two decades at Karaka, Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM is preparing for the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales Series (26 Jan. – 30 Feb.) at Karaka.

The sales are preceded by the Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday 25 January at Ellerslie, where Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson are well represented through the six-race twilight programme which kicks off at 4.38 p.m.

Te Akau took a stranglehold with consecutive wins from 2017 – 2023 in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), and could have four runners in the event this year.

All seven were purchased by Ellis at Karaka, from which eligibility for the Karaka Millions is acquired through registration and prize money then determines who makes the field (Order of Entry).
Ellis, along with the buying team comprising Mark Walker, racing manager Reece Trumper, and bloodstock agent Marcus Corban, made their initial inspections at the respective farms throughout December/January and have continued this week at the sales grounds.

Having established a list, following the inspections and pedigree analysis, they will revisit those lots before creating a shortlist, put in place a budget for each horse, and try to buy them in the auction ring.

The method is proven and the results speak for themselves. Te Akau sits perilously close to a century of Group One wins by horses they have trained – currently 99 – of which Ellis has purchased horses to win 87 of those, with 61 coming from horses bought at Karaka.

Testament to the success is reflected in Te Akau having won 79 titles at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards, among them: 11 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.

One owner recently reported having been involved in Te Akau trained horses that have won 12 Group One races since 2015, when Xtravagant (Pentire) won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) by an astonishing eight and a half lengths in race record time (1:33.5).

“We’ve had 12 Group One winners since we’ve been back in New Zealand, which is incredible really,” he said. “A lot of people never get a Group One winner.

“We’ve got horses with other trainers as well, but I don’t think any of them are anywhere close to the success that we’ve had with the horses that David Ellis has bought. It’s the reality of life, actually.

“I know he spends a lot of money, although some of our Group One winners have been cheaper horses, but the point is that he buys horses that win group races and what sets Te Akau apart is that they buy better horses.”

For $57,500, Ellis purchased Melody Belle (Commands) as a yearling at Karaka. The Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner in 2017, she was Champion Two-Year-Old, dual Horse of the Year, and national record-holder of 14 Group One wins.

He bought five-time Group One winner and sire Darci Brahma (Danehill), whose 1200 individual winners earned around $150 million in prize money, along with his three-quarter brother Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), a five-time stakes winner that also went to stud.

Also, Avantage (Fastnet Rock), whose nine Group One wins is the most for her Champion Sire. Bought for $210,000, she won $2.1m and set an online sales record when sold for $4.1m.

Dual Horse of the Year Probabeel (Savabeel), Ellis purchased as a yearling at Karaka, before on-selling to Cambridge Stud owners Brendan & Jo Lindsay. The Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner in 2019, she went on to win four Group One races in Australia.

From earlier years, when getting Te Akau Racing established, Ellis also purchased Maroofity (Maroof) and King’s Chapel (King of Kings), each three-time Group One winners, with the latter becoming Horse of the Year.

One bloodstock agent, who travels the globe inspecting and buying horses, said: “Nowhere in the world do you see yearlings present in better order than you do in New Zealand”, which suggests the combination of quality natural resources (grass, water, air) and horse husbandry expertise in preparing young horses is second to none.

No one understands that better than David Ellis. A farmer and business operator in the thoroughbred racing industry for more than 40 years, his eye for a horse has also been proved second to none.

Consistent success results from years of expertise, careful planning, and strategic placement—total professionalism in every facet. It's about meticulous attention to detail and bringing out the very best in every horse.

Returning to unearthing the next batch of Group winners, we're impressed with this year's exceptional yearlings.

Exciting opportunities await your involvement, from premium colt and filly partnerships—almost sold out—to the much-anticipated ladies' syndicate. Additionally, we'll acquire horses in the $20,000 - $200,000 range, ensuring a share suits all our owners' budgets. You can decide what suits you when you build your own stable with Te Akau.

A massive increase in NZ stakes was announced—bringing huge new opportunities. Complementing that, our stable in Cranbourne, Victoria, is flying. There has never been a better time to be involved!

With over 80 Group 1 races in Australasia worth $1 million or more, major stakes increases announced by Racing Queensland, Racing NSW, and Racing Victoria, and our expansion into Australia in full swing, the future looks brilliant for Te Akau!

View our Yearlings & Shares avaliable from 10am here: https://www.teakauracing.com/yearlings-shares

Stay in touch

Sign up to Te Akau's newsletter