That's A Wrap - The 2023/2024 Season

Date: 31 Jul 2024

It's a wrap on one of the most memorable seasons in Te Akau Racing’s history! With the opening of our Australian stable at Cranbourne last September, it’s truly one for the ages - marking a season on both sides of the Tasman that we will forever be proud of.

Team Te Akau has once again reached a milestone, securing our 15th training premiership title. In doing so, in New Zealand the tangerine team has recorded the second-ever highest number of wins in a season by a New Zealand stable (169).  Importantly for our owners, we have also recorded the second highest ever prize money won in New Zealand racing history.

In the 2022/23 New Zealand season, Te Akau's Mark Walker set new all-time records of 203 wins and $8.25 million in stake money won for owners. 

This season, Mark Walker was joined in partnership by Sam Bergerson. Together, they achieved 169 wins and just over $8 million in prize money, with a brilliant strike rate - 5.8 - meaning almost one in every five of our starters has come home a winner!

The Te Akau stable at Cranbourne (Victoria) has also won NZ$7.6 million in stake money in Australia.  This is a phenomenal effort considering this stable is only 10 months old!  An incredible winning strike rate of 21.1% and placings' strike rate of 41.2% shows just how potent our Australian stable has been - and with only 20 boxes for this season. More have just been completed so watch for the team to make a huge impact in the new season on Australian soil.

This season, we celebrated an impressive number of stakes' winners: 30 in total, including nine Group One's, with 21 in New Zealand and nine in Australia. These victories are a testament to the dedication, skill, and passion of everyone involved in our operations.  

Off the track, this season was equally special with the introduction of Entain to New Zealand. With stake money increases announced almost every month, investing, and racing horses in New Zealand has never looked brighter. 

We can’t wait for next season, especially with the running of The Kiwi. Te Akau Racing has secured its own slot - meaning entry for three years to the richest horse race ever held in New Zealand. A field of 14 horses will contest the inaugural $3.5 million New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) Kiwi for three-year-olds over 1500m. It will be staged on Saturday 8 March 2025 at Ellerslie on the newly minted "Champions' Day," before increasing to $4 million in 2026 and $4.5 million in 2027. There is also a total of $1 million in bonuses for the first three home if they have won one of the designated lead-up races. The winner receives an additional $600,000 if they have won one of these lead-up races, with second place receiving $250,000 and third place $150,000 in year one.

It's been a wonderful season to be proud of indeed - we couldn't have reached these incredible heights without the unwavering support of our owners, the hard work and commitment of our team, and the encouragement from our loyal supporters. Your belief in Te Akau Racing fuels our success and inspires us to strive for excellence every day! 

Thank you all for being an integral part of our journey. As we look ahead, we are filled with excitement and determination to build on this season’s achievements - here’s to many more victories and unforgettable moments on and off the track!

Let’s take this time to have a look back at the season that was 2023/2024:

The Champion Two-Year-Old from last season, Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin), started the ball rolling with victory in the El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) at Hastings, while at the same meeting Quintessa (Shamus Award) won the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and Skew Wiff (Savabeel) won the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m).

It was then the turn of former Champion Three-Year-Old and Champion Sprinter/Miler Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), who kicked into gear with a fresh-up track record performance in the McEwen Stakes (Gr. 2, 1000m), on her way to dizzy heights of rating top sprinter in the world, during a season of six wins which included five Group Ones.

Purchased for $360,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds, Imperatriz was owned by Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Imperatriz won more Group One races (6) than any other horse in the world during 2023, on her way to capturing 10 Group One wins among a total 19, from 27 starts, nearly NZ$7.6 million in prize money, before finally selling when retired in June this year for $6.6 million to become the highest priced filly or mare ever sold in the Southern Hemisphere.

For the lucky syndicate owners, they turned $360,000 into more than $14.5 million.

Following her Group One victory, Skew Wiff (Savabeel) provided another memorable moment on, historically, the greatest day of racing in Australasia, when winning The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.

Bred and owned by Waikato Stud, Skew Wiff reached NZ$582,676 in earnings courtesy of four wins and five seconds from 15 starts.

Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel) produced one of the most phenomenal victories of the season, when coming from 20 lengths off the lead in a Kiwi-like performance to win the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m).

A beautifully put together filly, owned by the Te Akau In Vogue Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $320,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the NZB 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Her seven wins realised over $330,000 in prize money and she recently sold as a breeding proposition on Gavelhouse.com for $162,500.

On her way to becoming one of the best two-year-olds in New Zealand, Captured By Love (2 f Written Tycoon – Moldova, by Snitzel) impressively won the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m).

She followed the win with victories in the Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) – becoming the ninth winner of the race for Te Akau – and was also twice Group One placed.

Owned by Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Captured By Love was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Milburn Creek.

Winning four of her six starts and prize money over $335,000, Captured By Love has a residual value far in excess of that, while readying for an exciting three-year-old season ahead.

One of the best race mares in New Zealand, Campionessa (6 m Contributer – Bella Carolina, by O’Reilly) richly deserved her victory in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m), which arrived on the back on stakes wins in Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m), and was followed by another valuable victory in the Peter Young Stakes (Gr. 2, 1800m) at Caulfield (Melbourne).

Owned by Te Akau Campionessa Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000 at the 2019 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, where the sire stands.

Her 33 starts have yielded 11 wins, 10 places, and over $1.25 million in prize money.

Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta, by High Chaparral) was a filly that really jumped out of the ground this season.

A winner of her sole start as a two-year-old, Quintessa had an outstanding three-year-old season, highlighted by victory in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), and marked by consistency with three fourths in Group One races, including the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m).

She also finished runner-up in both the Alistair Clark Stakes (Gr. 2, 2040m) and Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m).

Owned by Te Akau Awarded Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Quintessa was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM as a yearling for $170,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, and won nearly $640,000 in stakes money.

An older favourite in the Te Akau stables, Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay, by Pins) had another terrific season.

A year earlier, Perfect Scenario was a huge winner when coming from last to win the White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m) and repeated the achievement with aplomb to defend his title.

A tremendous type of horse to own, he has provided many thrills throughout his career.

Perfect Scenario was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $165,000 at 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Woburn Farm, for owners in the Te Akau Perfection Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and his nine wins have accumulated $366,000 in prize money.

Recording a winning quadruple on the straight course at Flemington, Sans Doute (4 m Not A Single Doubt – My Prerogative, by I Am Invincible) produced one of the most deserved and valuable stakes wins of the season in the Bob Hoysted Stakes (Listed, 1000m).

Rich in pedigree and a natural athlete, Sans Doute certainly is an exciting mare heading into her five-year-old season in Australia.

Sans Doute was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000 at the 2021 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, and owned by Te Akau In No Doubt Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

She has now won seven of her 16 starts, including four from eight this season, nearly NZ$465,744 in prize money, and has the pedigree to dramatically increase her residual value.

When you buy a colt with a stallion pedigree and it wins a Group One race as a two-year-old, the satisfaction and potential is enormous.

Impressive debut winner Move To Strike (2 c I Am Invincible – No Evidence Needed, by Shamardal) did just that when brilliantly winning the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m).

Move To Strike became the eighth Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) winner for Te Akau, and sixth in the past seven years after homebred filly and Champion Two-Year-Old Maven Belle (Burgundy) won in 2022.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM in Australia, Move To Strike provided Opie Bosson his 2000th win when scoring on debut, while the stable rider is also approaching another incredible milestone with 98 Group One victories.

Owned by Te Akau 2023 Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Move To Strike was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $525,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

“It’s incredibly exciting to win a Group One race with a colt by Champion Sire I Am Invincible, which just makes him so valuable, and he is the first Group One winning two-year-old colt for the sire,” Ellis said.

Te Akau homebred Nucleozor (2 g Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy) displayed as much potential as any two-year-old this season in New Zealand, becoming the ninth Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) winner for the stable while remaining unbeaten in three starts.

Stable-mate and year older sister Qali Al Farrasha (3 f Almanzor – Nucleonic) also had a fine season, winning impressively before finishing second in the Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) and third in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m).

Both were bred and owned by David Ellis and David & Matthew Peacocke (Weston Lea Bloodstock), and such was the talent of Nucleozor that he was subsequently sold to race in Hong Kong.

After playing second fiddle to stable-mate Nucleozor (Almanzor) in all three starts, Discretion Rules (2 g Alabama Express – Miss Madonna, by Zoustar) deservedly won the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1200m) and in doing so became the final stakes winner of the season for Te Akau.

She was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, costing $165,000 at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Highline Thoroughbreds, for owners Te Akau Non-Stop Express Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

To say that Te Akau Racing continues to flourish under the guidance of David Ellis CNZM and Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM is an understatement; testament coming in the shape of 214 stakes wins in the last eight years, of which 67 were Group One, and they remain unequivocal in their quest to further promote the New Zealand racing and breeding industry throughout Australasia.

Since its inception in 1988, Ellis has purchased 39 individual Group One winners; Te Akau Racing has trained winners of 98 Group One races, and accumulated over 2600 wins including more than 380 stakes wins.

• Tokyo Tycoon (3 g Satono Aladdin): El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m)
• Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award): Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m)
• Skew Wiff (4 m Savabeel): Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m)
• Viva Vienna (3 f All Too Hard): Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m)
• Star Of Justice (3 f Justify): Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m)
• Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel): Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m)
• Campionessa (6 m Contributer): Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m)
• Captured By Love (2 f Written Tycoon): Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m)
• Campionessa (6 m Contributer): Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m)
• Campionessa (6 m Contributer): Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m)
• Kai (5 m Ocean Park): Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m)
• Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award): Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m)
• Ascend The Throne (3 g Savabeel): Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m)
• Bellatrix Star (2 f Star Witness): Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m)
• Captured By Love (2 f Written Tycoon): Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m)
• Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj): White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m)
• Captured By Love (2 f Written Tycoon): Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m)
• Certainly (3 f Savabeel): Mufhasa Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m)
• Move To Strike (2 c I Am Invincible): Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m)
• Nucleozor (2 g Almanzor): Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m)
• Discretion Rules (2 g Alabama Express): Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1200m).

• Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible): McEwen Stakes (Gr. 2, 1000m)
• Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible): Moir Stakes (Gr. 1, 1000 metres)
• Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible): Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m)
• Skew Wiff (4 m Savabeel): The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m)
• Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible): Champions Sprint (Gr. 1, 1200m)
• Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible): Lightning Stakes (Gr. 1, 1000m)
• Campionessa (6 m Contributer): Peter Young Stakes (Gr. 2, 1800m)
• Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible): William Reid Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m)
• Sans Doute (4 m Not A Single Doubt): Hoysted Stakes (Listed, 1000m).