If we just had one word to describe David Ellis, that word would be prolific. One of the most, well, prolific buyers in New Zealand, this 63yo veteran is well deservedly revered in the racing community. David started off as the cattle and sheep farmer back in the days and then added horse breeding to his repertoire. Since then he has been a prominent buyer and breeder in New Zealand. With more than 3 decades of hard work, success and most importantly, invaluable experience under his belt, David holds an undeniable dominance in business.
All of this experience has culminated into an unmistakable eye for great horses. His purchases have won over 125 stakes’ races and have seen multiple other wins and honours over the years. You can name so many famous and iconic horses to come from his stable that it seems unreal to even try to comprehend it. The greatest testimony being the legendary Darci Brahma, that was eventually sold for a whopping 10 million.
Davis lives in his 4000-acre farm in Waikato, with his wife Karyn (a racing world celebrity herself), 2 daughter and 2 dogs. A life nothing short of a dream. What really makes him this successful? What is the driving force behind this longevity? How does he pick his horses? What are his most successful buys? We got down to asking these questions and David got down to answering them in this interview.
Q: You are one of the most successful and astute racehorse buyers in the world. Which was the most expensive horse you have ever purchased and why?
A: The most expensive horse I purchased this year came from New Zealand Bloodstock Book One. He was a Savabeel colt, out of Make a Wish. He was bred by Waikato Stud and I paid $1.4 million for him. From day one he showed the team he was a high-class colt and won his only trial very impressively. He will try again in the next two weeks, and then he will be ready for his first race. The NZB Karaka Million in January 2020 is definitely on the cards.
Q: You were one of the leading buyers at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs. Where are those horses now? What are your buying plans for this year's edition of the same sale?
A: The NZB Ready to Run Sale has been a very successful sale for Te Akau Racing. In the last three years, we have bought horses like Hall of Fame (Group 1 Levin Classic), Gingernuts (Three Group 1 win – NZ Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Windsor Park Plate) and Te Akau Shark (Group 2 winner). We purchased some pretty smart horses from the sale last year, most of which have needed some time which we are always happy to give our horses. This year, I intend to buy two or three horses at the sale.
Q: Please tell us a bit more about your selection process from the time the catalogue is released until you actually buy the horse?
A: I enjoy spending an hour each night going through the catalogue and doing a lot of research on the pedigrees. I then do a lot of study into how the pedigree “NICKS” stands up. I then use Jamie Richards and Mark Walker to look at the videos of the horses galloping up at Te Rapa Racecourse before I then go and inspect the shortlist at various farms, and then again at the Karaka Sales. When I attend a horse sale, I like to go very well prepared.
Q: Will you be able to share any difficult sales you have encountered?
A: Over the years, I have struggled to sell a number of horses, including Gingernuts and Avantage – both very top horses.
Q: Please rank in order of importance 1) Pedigree, 2) Type 3) Intelligent looks 4) Performance in the breeze-ups. And please tell us why you believe so.
A: 1st – TYPE, PEDIGREE, BREEZE UP
4th – INTELLIGENT LOOKS
I don’t take much notice of the time a horse runs but more the manner of his work.