More than four decades after his first experience as a winning owner, David Ellis has been recognised for his contribution to racing with induction to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Ellis is best known as the founder and principal of Te Akau Racing, New Zealand's most successful racehorse syndication model and in whose colours the 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) raced, among others.
“I was in my early twenties when I won that race at Paeroa all those years ago and I thought it was the biggest thrill you could have in life,” Ellis told Loveracing.nz.
“My trainer Bill Ford came with me into the winner's room, but he had another horse in the next race that he had to saddle up and I ended up celebrating my first ever win by myself.
“That made me think there's got to be a better way to do this. I realised that I'd rather celebrate together with other people and that was the beginning of my idea to syndicate horses, bringing people together to enjoy the thrill of winning.”
He added, “It's quite incredible to think that when Captured By Love won the New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton last month, that was the 98th Group 1 winner by horses that I've either bought, bred or managed under the Te Akau umbrella.
“Any award, whether you're recognised by your peers or by a higher body, is very humbling and this is certainly no different.
“It's an absolute honour to think that I'm being acknowledged alongside people who I have admired massively over the years–people like my great late friend Colin Jillings, other hugely successful trainers like Dave O'Sullivan and Jim Gibbs, and industry icons such as Sir Patrick Hogan and Sir Peter Vela.”
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