Waikato bloodstock maestro David Ellis is a leading light in the New Zealand thoroughbred racing industry. Ellis is a renowned judge of bloodstock and this expertise has seen Akau become one of the most dominant influences in the New Zealand thoroughbred racing world.
The Impact chats to David Ellis about his 2019 draft in the NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka:
Q: Have you had a chance to peak into the Karaka sales catalogue? If yes, are there any specific lots or any lots by specific sires which you would say have perked your interest and high light the sale?
A: My New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka catalogues were hand-delivered to me at Te Akau Stud by the owner of the company, Sir PeterVela – and they have been my ‘constant companion’ ever since with plenty of pedigree study and notations during and post my inspections. Whilst I do not disclose specific lots of interest before the sale for obvious reasons, I can say that the yearlings at this 2019 sale represent the best athletes I have seen at Karaka for at least 20 years and I cannot wait to bring the best of them back to Te Akau. In terms of stallions – again an impressive line-up -from star New Zealand multiple champion sire Savabeel whose progeny I have had extraordinary success with, to newer and exciting sires such as Burgundy who are rapidly establishing themselves, and the stand-out freshmen like Mongolian Khan whose yearlings look full of potential.
Q: Last year, you bought a record number of horses. Are you going into the 2019 sales with a similar intention?
A: At Karaka 2018 I bought a record number of horses, and while I have been the leading buyer from this sale now for 13 consecutive years, for me it is about Quality, not Quantity and that will always be my focus. It has been particularly gratifying to see Te Akau qualify six of the field of 14 starters in the Karaka Two-Year-Old Million race and two Te Akau runners will line up in our tangerine colours in the Karaka Three Year Old Million – these races are staged on the eve of the sale at the Auckland Racing Club’s Ellerslie track.
Q: Apart from the yearling sale, what do you like most about Karaka?
A: New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka complex always boasts good quality, sound horses – with world-class facilities managed by some of the very best bloodstock personnel you would find globally.
Q: Were you always involved with horses even during your childhood?
A: When I was young I did attend pony club and I used to enjoy riding at shows and also hunts. I have always possessed a deep passion for, and interest in, the thoroughbred. For example, I became a Member of the Auckland Racing Club when I was only 18 and over the years have held most Board/Committee roles including being a Director of the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and also the Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club for five years.
Q: Considering all the great horses you have been involved with, which ones would you say would be your favourite or best? And which one would you say you wish you were involved with?
A: It is difficult to single our favourites, as all of our top-line performers hold a special place in my heart eg multiple Group 1 winner such as Darci Brahma, King’s Chapel, Princess Coup, Maroofity, Gingernuts and many others I have purchased and we have trained. I am very excited about a stunning Savabeel colt I purchased from Karaka called Embellish – the winner of the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas. He is about the join the stallion roster at the world-famous Cambridge Stud, alongside another successful colt I purchased called Burgundy. Embellish to one of the most beautiful examples of equine excellence you will ever see. It is wonderful to think that he will have such a massive opportunity at Cambridge Stud, which is now owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM and his wife Jo Lindsay.
Which horse would I wish to be involved with –probably everyone’s wish – Winx.
Q: If you could learn to do anything new, what would it be?
A: I would actually like to learn to speak Mandarin – not sure where I will find that time, however.
Q: If you could work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
A: To buy and train next Winx.
Q: Which particular yearling in recent years gave you the most pleasant surprise with the sale price and what did you put it down to afterwards?
A: Again there are many answers to this question, there have been so many stand-outs. In terms of a proven racehorse, I will say, Melody Belle, our triple Group 1 winner who has won Group races in Australia as well as NewZealand. She also won the Karaka 2YO Million and was named Champion 2YO of her year. She only cost NZ$57,500 and has won prize money of$1,255,406. Looking to the future, I was delighted to snap up a Darci Brahma/Shamardal Luck gelding at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale in November – securing him for substantially less than I was prepared to pay – that’s always a plus! and he’s a cracking individual.
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: My New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka catalogues!
Q: What are your top go-to spots in Karaka after a sales day?
A: Usually we are very busy communicating with our new and existing owners every evening after the sale – but if we have time for dinner then we like to head to Antoine’s of Parnell or Headquarters and Soul Bar in the Auckland Viaduct –three top-class establishments.
Q: What do you like best about buying at Karaka on the Gold Coast?
A: If you look at the Karaka statistics over the last 50 years, they tell the story. I love buying from this sale because of the proven race track success decade after decade after decade.
Published in The Impact 3 Issue, 2 Vol
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