Sir David Ellis KNZM

Te Akau Principal

Phone: +64 21 925 151
Email: [email protected]

Sir David Ellis KNZM celebrated his first winner with Magnum in 1978 and his first Group 1 victory when Cosmetique (Barcas) won the Easter Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Ellerslie in 1986.

Following those early successes, Sir David had one simple ambition – to share the excitement and emotional thrill of racehorse ownership with others. That vision became Te Akau Racing, built on buying outstanding thoroughbreds and inviting people from all walks of life to race them.

More than four decades later, Sir David has established Te Akau Racing as the most successful thoroughbred racing operation in New Zealand history. The stable has trained more than 2,900 domestic winners, 429 stakes' race winners, including 106 Group 1 victories, while Sir David has personally selected horses that have won over 100 Group 1 races. An extraordinary 92% of those elite-level winners were purchased by him.

Widely regarded as one of the world's leading judges of thoroughbred talent, Sir David has invested more than $150 million in New Zealand yearlings over 43 consecutive National Yearling Sales, making him the most prolific purchaser of thoroughbreds in Australasian history.

Under his leadership, Te Akau has grown into an internationally respected racing and breeding operation with bases in Matamata, Christchurch and Cranbourne, Australia, having also enjoyed tremendous success in Singapore.

Today, the business employs more than 100 people and has developed generations of trainers, jockeys, racing managers and industry professionals.

Raised in Pakuranga and a member of the Howick Pony Club, Sir David boarded from the age of nine and represented King's College, Auckland, in rugby, cricket, swimming and rowing.

His passion for animals and farming led him to Flock House Agricultural College before completing a Diploma in Agriculture through Massey University, following three years of practical farming experience.

In 1979, Sir David purchased 575 acres at Waimai Valley before expanding the property in 1982 to establish Te Akau Stud.

Today, Te Akau Stud spans approximately 4,000 acres and is recognised as one of New Zealand's premier farming and thoroughbred properties. Alongside breeding, rearing, breaking-in and spelling horses, the property also runs 2,500 breeding ewes, 2,200 steers, 800 ewe hoggets and finishes around 3,500 lambs annually.

Throughout his career Sir David has held numerous leadership positions within the racing industry, including:

- Bloodstock Manager for the corporate entity that owned Magic Millions in Australia.
- Chairman (now Life Member) of Waikato Racing Club.
- Director of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
- Director of New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing.

His many honours include:
- Gallagher Agriculture and Primary Production Award – 2009/10 Waikato Business Excellence Awards.
- Finalist – Waikato Management School Leader of the Year.
- Outstanding Contribution to Racing Excellence – New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards (2017).
- Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) – 2020.
- Inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame – 2025.
- Appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours for services to Thoroughbred Racing and Philanthropy.

Sir David is married to broadcaster Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM, formerly Karyn Fenton-Ellis, an inaugural Trackside television presenter who remained in the role for 26 years. Lady Karyn is also a past World President of Junior Chamber International (Jaycees), former Chairman of Waikato Racing Club, and continues to play an integral role within Te Akau Racing.

Sir David and Lady Karyn reside at Te Akau Stud with their two dogs. Between them they have five adult children.

"We strive to provide owners with the same emotional thrills of winning that I first experienced many years ago, and carry on reliving every time we train a winner," Sir David said.

"We continue to work with a great team of people and always strive to do the job better than everybody else."