Te Akau Celebrates Another Record-Breaking Season

The curtain has fallen on the 2024/25 racing season, and once again Te Akau Racing has stamped its authority as New Zealand’s leading stable, claiming an unprecedented 16th Trainers’ Premiership. This remarkable achievement adds yet another chapter to our proud history of excellence and consistency at the very highest level of the sport.

Under the expert guidance of co-trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the stable not only secured the premiership but also set a new record with $9.27 million in prize money won for Te Akau owners, achieved through a phenomenal 131 wins - 18 of those at Group/Listed level in New Zealand (with five in Australia).

This broke new ground in terms of stakes' earnings, highlighting not only our winning strike rate but also the rising value of New Zealand racing. 

To put this in perspective, Mark Walker’s record-breaking 2022/23 season saw 203 wins and $8.25 million in stakes, while last season the partnership achieved 169 wins and $8 million. The trend is clear - Te Akau continues to deliver racetrack success.

The season’s impact was felt on both sides of the Tasman. 

In Australia, Te Akau’s Cranbourne-based team, guided by Walker, amassed NZ$7.6 million in stakes with 26 wins in 2024/25, following 24 wins the previous season. Meanwhile, our Riccarton stable in the South Island was dominant, clinching the South Island Trainers’ Premiership with 45 wins, including four stakes victories, three of them during the glamour of NZ Cup Week in November, although these are not counted in the southern stable's season tally.

Stakes success was once again a hallmark of Te Akau’s season. A remarkable 23 stakes wins were recorded, with 18 in New Zealand and five in Australia, including three Group One triumphs, a Karaka Millions' double, the inaugural NZB Kiwi and the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas/Group 3 NZ Cup double.

 Among the many highlights were:

    Captured By Love dazzling in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas

    Return To Conquer showcasing brilliance in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes, remaining unbeaten

    La Dorada powering to victory in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes & Karaka Millions' 2YO

    Damask Rose starring in both the Karaka Millions 3YO and the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi 

These headline wins were complemented by outstanding performances from horses like Qali Al Farrasha, who was placed in three Group Ones, and Hostility, runner-up in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at just his sec and start. 

Other notable stakes' stars included Campionessa, Bellatrix Star, Perfect Scenario, Quintessa, Hakkinen, He Who Dares, To Bravery Born, Born To Be Royal, Midnight Blue, and Sans Doute – each adding depth to an unforgettable season.

Internationally, Te Akau’s reputation continues to grow. 

In the TRC Global Owner Rankings, we are rated as the highest syndication operation in the world and the third-highest ownership group in the Southern Hemisphere, sitting just behind global powerhouses Godolphin and Yu Long Investments.

Principal David Ellis CNZM reflected on what drives this sustained success:

“In 2023 the global sports betting group Entain joined in a 25-year partnership with TAB NZ, with a commitment to invest $900 million over the next five years. Because of the increase in prize money, and the terrific stakes in Australia, we’ve backed ourselves to buy another 75 yearlings this year, and I’m thrilled with the support from our loyal owners, and new owners to the sport, that have got involved.

"We go out on a limb to buy all horses on spec and it’s pretty overwhelming the support we get to sell them.

"We’ve got a few shares left to sell, that are listed on our website, and hopefully among them is the next La Dorada.

"Our stable rider Opie Bosson is back in business for the coming season and if what he’s told me about the rising two-year-olds he’s ridden in track work holds true, then we’re in for another exciting season.”

Ellis has often pointed out that some of the last horses to sell have become champions, citing Imperatriz and Avantage – winners of 19 Group Ones between them – and Damask Rose, who still had shares available at two but has now won $2.2 million with four wins from seven starts.

“We’ve still got some lovely yearlings here at the farm (Te Akau Stud) with shares to sell, and people are always welcome to get in touch and come out and inspect them,” Ellis added.

And as highly regarded racing historian Brian de Lore said:

    “David Ellis, Karyn Fenton-Ellis, and Te Akau Racing have done a remarkable service for New Zealand racing over a long period, and as each year has passed the tangerine and blue army has grown and become an increasingly important component of the industry.

    "To think that David bought his first yearling at the sales in 1984, has bought every year since, and has clearly been the leading buyer at the National Sale for the past 20 years, through two recessions and COVID-19 is a remarkable effort.”

The 2024/25 season will be remembered not just for its numbers, but for its thrilling victories, the emergence of new champions, and the enduring partnership between Te Akau and its loyal owners. Together, we have achieved something extraordinary – and with the next wave of talent already coming through, the best is yet to come.