David Ellis

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...

by Renee Geelen/The Thoroughbred Report David Ellis smashed the record for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, purchasing lot 174, an I Am Invincible (Aus) colt from dual Group 1 winner Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) for NZ$1.65 million. The previous highest price at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale was NZ$825,000 for Megastar Heart (Aus) (Star Turn {Aus}) who won a listed race last season at two. "I've been buying at this sale for a lifetime and that's the most impressive colt I've seen at this...

Te Akau Racing's 10-time Group 1 winner, Imperatriz (Aus), will be offered virtually at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Tuesday, May 28. Trained by Jamie Richards at the beginning of her career before Mark Walker took over in Matamata, Imperatriz won 19 of her 27 starts, with the last of her 10 Group 1 victories coming at Moonee Valley in March when she won the William Reid S. for the second year in succession. She then finished a close-up fourth in the G1 TJ Smith S. at...