Few figures have had a greater influence on New Zealand thoroughbred racing over the past four decades than David Ellis, and that contribution has now been formally recognised with his appointment as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours. The honour acknowledges a lifetime devoted not only to racing, but also to philanthropy, farming and community service, marking another milestone in a career that has helped shape the modern New Zealand racing landscape.

The recognition follows a distinguished list of honours that includes appointment as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2020, the Outstanding Contribution to Racing Award at the 2017 Horse of the Year Awards and induction into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2025.

While the knighthood recognises Ellis' individual achievements, it also reflects the role played by those who have contributed to the growth of Te Akau Racing, including owners, staff, industry participants and supporters who have been part of the operation's rise.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leadership

Ellis' involvement in racing began long before the success that would follow. As a 17-year-old attending Ellerslie on Easter Monday in 1971, he watched future Melbourne Cup winner Silver Knight capture the Great Northern St Leger, a moment that sparked a lifelong fascination with the thoroughbred.

His first winner arrived in 1978 when Magnum scored at Paeroa in her third start before adding a victory at Ellerslie. A pivotal moment followed in 1982 when Ellis attended his first New Zealand National Yearling Sale, beginning a bloodstock journey that would become one of the most influential in Australasian racing.

Across 43 consecutive yearling sales, Ellis has invested more than $150 million in New Zealand yearlings and established a reputation as one of the sport's leading judges of equine talent. Those purchases helped lay the foundations for what would become New Zealand's most successful racing operation.

His path was not built on inherited advantages. Ellis worked multiple jobs, including pumping petrol on days off, to accumulate enough capital to purchase his first farm. That determination eventually led to the development of Te Akau Stud and the expansion of Te Akau Racing into a multi-national operation with bases in Matamata, Christchurch and Cranbourne, as well as a previous presence in Singapore.

A Record of Sustained Success

The statistics attached to Te Akau Racing underline the scale of the achievement. The operation has secured 16 New Zealand Trainers' Premierships, four Singapore Trainers' Premierships, 12 New Zealand Champion Trainer of the Year titles and four Singapore Champion Trainer of the Year awards.

Te Akau-trained runners have won 429 stakes races, including 106 Group 1 victories. The stable has accumulated 2,938 domestic wins and continues its approach toward the landmark of 3,000 New Zealand victories.

Its record in the country's premier races has been equally notable. Te Akau has produced 14 winners of the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and New Zealand 1000 Guineas during the past 21 years, while also winning the Karaka Million 2YO eight times, including seven consecutive editions between 2017 and 2023.

The stable remains the only operation to complete the Karaka Million 2YO and Karaka Million 3YO double in the same season, achieving the feat in 2020, 2022 and again in 2025.

Across the Tasman, Te Akau horses have captured 34 stakes races in Australia since 2017, including 15 Group 1 victories.

Developing People as Well as Horses

Many within the industry believe Ellis' legacy extends beyond race results. Former New Zealand Bloodstock chairman Joe Walls suggested that his greatest contribution may ultimately be measured through the people who have emerged from the Te Akau system.

Highlighting the stable's influence on generations of racing professionals, Walls said: "David so deserves this honour, for many reasons.

"One is that he created and graduated an entire university of racing people, and many of them have gone on to be very successful in their respective racing careers."

That assessment is supported by the careers launched under the Te Akau banner. Champion trainer Mark Walker joined the operation directly from school, while Jamie Richards developed into a multiple Group 1-winning trainer before continuing his career in Hong Kong.

Walls also pointed to the development of leading jockey Opie Bosson and emerging trainers including Sam Bergerson, Reece Trumper, Hunter Durrant and Ben Gleeson.

Former apprentices such as Daniel Stackhouse, Michael Dee and Samantha Collett further illustrate the depth of talent nurtured through the organisation.

Building a Lasting Legacy

Ellis celebrated his first Group 1 success when Cosmetique won the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie in 1986. More than 100 elite-level victories later, Te Akau's colours have been carried by some of the most accomplished horses of the modern era, including Melody Belle, Avantage, Probabeel, Darci Brahma and Imperatriz.

His influence has also extended into breeding through the identification and promotion of future stallions such as Darci Brahma, Burgundy, Embellish, Xtravagant, Sword Of State, Cool Aza Beel, Noverre, Move To Strike and Return To Conquer.

Another significant chapter came through Te Akau Nick, purchased by Ellis and later trained by Australian Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse. The horse provided Waterhouse with her first Group 1 victory in the Metropolitan Handicap, a result that reinforced Ellis' belief in the ability of New Zealand horses and horsemen to compete at the highest level.

Commitment Beyond Te Akau

Walls believes Ellis' impact on the wider industry is impossible to separate from his commercial success.

Reflecting on his role in supporting New Zealand's bloodstock sector, Walls said: "David almost single-handedly held the New Zealand National Yearling Sales together over the last 20-plus years, and I was there to see it all happen; without him, it would have been in a sorry state."

He further noted the scale of Ellis' commitment during difficult periods, adding: "Through COVID, he practically held the sale together on his own. David kept buying horses even when I thought there was no need, but he was driven to do so."

The comments are particularly significant because they highlight a contribution extending beyond personal success to supporting the broader health of the New Zealand breeding and racing industries.

Outside racing, Ellis has served on the boards of the Waikato Racing Club, including five years as chairman, the New Zealand Racing Conference and New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing. Alongside his wife, Karyn Fenton-Ellis, he has also supported numerous charitable initiatives and serves as a patron of EquiPotential.

Walls summed up the scale of the achievement by noting that few could have predicted how far Ellis' influence would extend when Te Akau's growth first began.

"He has done a hell of a lot of good things for the industry, and a lot also outside of racing, and he has done a lot for farming, building his farm up from nothing - creating a model farm from meagre beginnings - he wasn't born into it and did it all on his own from scratch."

From a teenager inspired by a race at Ellerslie to one of the most influential figures in New Zealand racing history, Ellis' appointment as a Knight Companion recognises a lifetime of achievement and service. It also acknowledges an enduring commitment to an industry that continues to benefit from the vision, investment and leadership he has provided for more than four decades.