So Proud ~ Te Akau Finalists Named

We’re incredibly proud that two outstanding members of Team Te Akau have been named as finalists in the 2025 Industry Excellence Awards powered by Entain!

New Zealand Co-Trainer Sam Bergerson is a finalist for Equine License Holder Excellence Award, while Kohen Collett, our Matamata Colt Barn Foreman, is a finalist in the Stud, Stable & Kennel Staff Excellence category. Both are exceptional representatives of Te Akau Racing, and we’re thrilled to see their dedication recognised on the national stage.

Equine Licence Holder Excellence - SAM BERGERSON (Te Akau Training Partner)

Prior to training in partnership with 11-time premiership winning trainer Mark Walker, at the helm of Te Akau Racing, Sam was Assistant Trainer when Walker established a record 203 domestic wins in 2022/23.

Promoted to training partner, Bergerson & Walker recorded 169 wins, including 21 stakes’ wins (four Group One), to become Champion Trainers in 2023/24, and they currently lead the premiership with 119 wins, including 18 stakes wins (three Group One). 

That’s a remarkable achievement in Sam’s first season as training partner.

A third-generation horse trainer, following father Roydon Bergerson and grandfather Herb Bergerson, Sam has an Accounting Degree from Massey University, and also received the Sunline Trust International Scholarship, a 30-week working experience at Northern Hemisphere studs: Shadwell Stud (England), Coolmore Stud (Ireland), and Winstar Farm (America).

A gifted fullback rugby player, Sam had a season of rugby in Ireland, before working for Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle Stables near Tipperary.  His love of, and talent for, rugby continues when just last week he played to help a local team out, coming away with the ‘Player of the Match’ title.

“He’s intelligent and a great horseman, especially his attention to detail,” Walker said.

“He has a great affinity with the team which is very important, and his organisational skills are first-class.

“He’s had a great year as a first season trainer, achieving an unbelievable number of wins, and has followed suit this season.”

Extremely liked and respected by Te Akau owners and the team alike, Sam is totally dedicated and professional in his approach to horse training, and considers himself blessed to have been given the opportunity he has with Te Akau Racing. 

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM said: “Sam is an outstanding young man, he comes from a family with a strong background working with horses and is, quite simply, a fine example of dedication and commitment.  A real role model, who nurtures young people and leads from the front.

“I got to know Sam and our assistant trainer Reece Trumper really well during lockdown in 2020 when they came and worked at Te Akau Stud, looking after all the horses that we had to spell when the stables were vacated.

“We worked very closely together during those times, but also had an opportunity to have dinner together as part of the same ‘bubble’, and they’re both wonderful young men with a deep understanding of horses and racing. 

“As I’ve said many times, our horses, our team and our owners are the cornerstone of our business and we strive to attain the best we can for our owners. However I can’t stress enough the importance of having the right people involved as well. 

“It doesn’t matter what business or industry you’re in success is generally determined by how professional your team is, and at Te Akau we’re fortunate to have some of the very best you’d fine anywhere in the world.”

Stud, Stable, & Kennel Excellence - KOHEN COLLETT (Te Akau Colt Barn Foreman)

An imposing 6’4”, Kohen Collett (19) is enjoying life in the thoroughbred industry as a full-time foreman at Te Akau Racing.

Co-Trainer Mark Walker said: “He’s really grown in his horsemanship skills over the past two years and his dedication to the stable is second to none.

“He’s taken everything he learns onboard and developing impressively with that knowledge. Associated with that growth, he has now been entrusted with more responsibility. 

“He looks after some of our very best colts such as Group 1 winners Move To Strike and Return To Conquer (both of whom he also strapped on race days) and that’s a big responsibility on its own for someone so young - but he’s got what it takes.

“He has a great thirst for knowledge and we think he has all the right attributes for a very successful future in the racing industry.”

Kohen, whose grandfather Warren Collett trained at Te Awamutu, and prepared triple Group 3 Winter Cup winner Rongonui, started part-time with Te Akau in August 2021 and left school in May last year to work full-time for the stable. 

As is the case, regardless of age, Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM is keen to entrust responsibility in, and fully encourage, those who are adept and have a strong work ethic - and he recognised the those traits in Kohen.

“He’s a really good young man, he’s got a good head on his shoulders, has travelled plenty of horses for us, and works so hard,” Ellis said.

“He shows a great affinity with the horses and earns their respect, as he has ours. We know what a huge thrill and sense of pride and achievement he gets out of strapping a good horse - and working with young people like Kohen is one of the things that keeps me motivated.

“Kohen is a great asset to Te Akau Racing. He gets on well with all the team, loves interacting with owners, and I believe he has a great future in the thoroughbred industry.”

In all, 28 finalists have been named across the nine award categories open to anyone under the age of 40, with the winner of each category – and the supreme Entain Excellence Award winner – to be announced at an awards night at Tote On Ascot at Ellerslie Racecourse on Sunday 29 June.

Category winners will receive $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000. The overall supreme winner receives an extra $5,000 and a $5,000 educational package. 

Best of luck for the awards' evening - we’re so proud to have you both representing Team Te Akau - the industry is indeed fortunate to have individuals of this calibre and dedication!