Trish Dunell
Te Akau principal David Ellis was honoured for a lifetime of achievement in racing when receiving the outstanding contribution award at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards at the Langham on Sunday night.
Ellis has made a mark as a thoroughbred buyer, owner, syndicator, breeder, administrator and sponsor.
He has been the driving force behind the name Te Akau becoming a global thoroughbred brand and has established premiership winning stables at both Matamata and Singapore.
He has been the leading buyer at the New Zealand national sale for the past 12 years and over that period alone has bought 369 yearlings, at a cost of $64.5 million.
“I feel very honoured to be recognised in such a manner,” Ellis said. “I love racing and get a huge thrill out of seeing the joy it brings to so many of our owners. There are so many unheralded, hard working people in racing and I have been fortunate to work with a host of quality people along the journey.”