Love Racing 'At Home With David & Karyn'

Love Racing Reports:

At home with David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis

The names David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis are pretty big in the thoroughbred racing world. Each claimed their fame independently before their marriage twelve and a half years ago, and have gone on to create a formidable duo in the industry. When David and Karyn hosted us for the afternoon on their stunning expanse of farmland in the Waikato, we discovered that the term ‘formidable' didn't aptly describe the friendly, easy going couple. Despite having insanely hectic schedules, both generously made the time to speak with us at length about their home, work, family and their life together.

Originally a sheep and cattle farmer, David, now 63, bought his first farm at just 25. Subsequent purchases of neighbouring properties accumulated to a total of 4000 acres, along with the original farmhouse David has lived in for 34 years, which now, they both call home. Thoroughbred racing has been a driving force for him since the mid seventies, and over time, that drive has created a highly successful multifaceted business incorporating one of the country's leading racing stable, Te Akau Racing; winner of both the Singapore and New Zealand Training Premierships the past season. David has also supported the industry with countless voluntary hours in a variety of significant roles for many years. His family affectionately call him “nuts”, for choosing to remain heavily involved in farming at the same time. He dedicates around three-quarters of Te Akau Stud's vast acreage to beef and sheep, getting a great degree of satisfaction from breaking sales records in that arena too.

Though she wouldn't call herself one, Karyn's a bit of a racing celebrity. She's worked as a television presenter on Trackside TV, first going to air on her birthday on November 6th 1992, as one of the two inaugural co-presenters alongside George Simon. Currently hosting their Monday show “Weigh In”, she is also Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club and sits on the NZ Thoroughbred Members' Council. The sport is plainly her passion, but Karyn is dedicated to “giving back” to her community. Her achievements have been locally and globally influential, officially recognised in 2014 when she received a Queen's Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to racing, the community and the Arts.

Where she found the time, we're not sure, but during the renovation of the beautiful old villa, Karyn took responsibility for all the design elements, clear it should be restored to its original era and reflective of its rural setting. How would she describe the style of the interior? “Under Pressure” she joked, adding that she would love to have a bit more time when tackling these projects. Nonetheless, she's done it beautifully, clearly a family home first and foremost with a mix of comfortable quality leather chesterfields, antique solid wood furniture, and brimming bookcases all set against a backdrop of similarly colonial style green and gold furnishings. Allowing the natural character to dominate, the lack of excess extravagance says a lot about the couple's focus on the most important things in life, defined by both as “family and friends.”

Their art collection is extensive and eclectic, suggestive of Karyn's art world leanings, and their many travels. Karyn said “I'm a firm believer that art is just a matter of taste; if it appeals to you, then it's art. A lot of our art wouldn't be considered valuable to anyone else, but it's been collected all over the world and are priceless keepsakes which mirror our lives.” Her favourite piece is a painting she commissioned for David's 60th birthday, depicting five glossy thoroughbreds. All raced with tangerine and navy silk-clad jockeys aboard, David's racing colours, which he registered in 1977, almost 40 years ago.

Racing trophies and awards are plentiful; the most meaningful gathered together in the living room. On request, David points out his favourite one, the Kelt Capital Stakes, won in 2003 by ‘Distinctly Secret'; a horse he bred himself. Easily outmatching the prized awards are the photos of friends and family gracing every available surface. They have five children between them, with two grandchildren and two on the way, all of whom visit often. Widowed for eight years before their union, Karyn thought she would never marry again. What changed her mind? “I saw the heart of a man who was incredibly kind and loving to me, and to my girls... We have so much laughter together and so many shared interests.” Shortly after they were married, David formally adopted Karyn's two girls. One of those girls, Julia-Rose, has joined the business as Marketing and Social Media Manager, and has just been the key player in syndicating her first horse with her mother, but marketing all the shares herself. Her sister, Lydia, is now London based, but was a race day steward at Trentham when she lived here.

It seems David may not have shared the same enthusiasm when it comes to his wife's ‘other babies', but she says her dogs are not going anywhere, and he's become used to them. She likes to take on those who need rehoming and had three until very recently when her 16-year-old setter passed away. He was a private rescue, while Kane, her retriever, is her third NZ Foundation for the Blind dog. Though he flew through his course, he was withdrawn from the programme because of an allergy to the metal harness guide dogs need to wear. Molly is resident dog 'in charge', a soft coated wheaten terrier who just had cruciate ligament surgery on one hind leg with the other to be done in a couple of months. “They make the best pets” Karyn enthuses, adding that she is waiting for the arrival of her most recent adoption, Evie, a black lab also from the NZ Foundation for the Blind.

If David had to pick a favourite spot in the house, he gravitates towards the comfortable big leather chair in the living room with iPad in hand for analysing sales figures. Karyn has no favourite place in the house, considering the entire home a sanctuary. She will admit to particularly enjoying the atmosphere of the office which lies adjacent to the house. She shares the space with David, their administration manager and assistant, and it's where she primarily fulfils her role as director of the company and manages the business communications and syndications. Everyone gets on brilliantly, making it the busy but happy hub of the property.

Estimating a time split of 60/40 between the farm and the stables, David spends a key part of each day on the phone, selling horses and communicating with staff. Karyn travels to Auckland once a week to record her ‘Weigh In” show, and two to three days away each fortnight satisfying additional responsibilities. A gruelling 4.30 a.m. start sees David finishing around 9.30 p.m., while Karyn prefers a later start and finish. Both work long hours, seven days a week, but they agree to take July off every year for travel, with family taking turns accompanying them.

The pair has made two recent additions to their property. One, somewhat unexpectedly, is a gym. It was David's idea, motivated by health issues he suffered a few years ago, and he urges all his staff to use it. Employees are always a top priority for David who places heavy emphasis on being a fair and encouraging employer. With 85 staff, some of whom have been with him for decades, their continued success is evidence he's living up to the task. The second addition, a guest house built in keeping with the main house, brings the total number of bedrooms to six, a handy extension of their living space for entertaining family and guests; the couple's favourite pastime. David is the chef of the house, most happy in front of his Weber barbeque grilling their favourite dish, rack of lamb.

While the idea of living and working together with so little time off would be intimidating to most, David and Karyn have no qualms about it. “Karyn is the world's best wife, a fantastic person and an incredible help to the business,” says David, adding, “We only do it because we love it. There's nothing better than bringing new people into the industry and seeing their enjoyment and the smiles of the owners on raceday; it's a thrill.” Karyn says she couldn't be more proud of David and what he's achieving. “I think it works so well because David ultimately accepts my independence, we have a very healthy respect for each other's opinion.” It's probably safe to say that neither will be slowing down anytime soon, the only question is “What will they achieve next?”