The Te Akau Juggernaut marches on...

[Murray Fish]

 

Te Akau’s Australian ambition is only just getting started

By Matt Stewart - November 22, 2024

Te Akau has already made a major mark on Australian racing in the 18 months since setting up base at Cranbourne. But David Ellis’ Australian plan is far from realised, writes Matt Stewart.

David Ellis, Ben Gleeson and Mark Walker, the three key men behind Te Akau's Australian operation, alongside Xavier Walker. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

It was lunchtime on June 20, 2023 and Ben Gleeson had sweaty palms as he sat at a table for two at France-Soir, a swanky restaurant in Toorak Road.

For the 29-year-old, this might prove the lunch of a lifetime.

Gleeson had chosen the restaurant and by the time the souffle arrived for dessert, Mark Walker had chosen Gleeson as the frontman for Te Akau Racing’s inevitable entry into Australian racing.

Gleeson had hoped that the entre of his strong CV and main course of the perfect steak might nudge Walker over the line and secure him a coveted gig.

Te Akau was elite. They’d had more champions or near-champions than many far bigger Australian outfits. Between 2017 and 2023, Te Akau-trained horses won every edition of the rich Karaka Million while bombing Australian carnivals with stars like Probabeel, Melody Belle and Avantage. Before them, it was Te Akau Nick, Distinctly Secret, Princess Coup and Darci Brahma.

The tangerine team has deep pockets and paid a ready-to-run record $1.65 million for an I Am Invincible colt in New Zealand on Wednesday. It has long been the biggest New Zealand buyer at the annual Karaka Yearling Sale.

In May this year, Te Akau sold its champion mare Imperatriz for an Australasian record $6.6 million at a Gold Coast broodmare sale.

Te Akau and its founder David Ellis was a famous New Zealand success story. Ellis took $12 to the Ellerslie races in 1971 and walked out with $84. Beginner’s luck on the punt would focus his ambitions on thoroughbreds instead of cattle and sheep.

By 2023, Ellis had built a racing empire that required one more giant leap; a deep footprint into Australia.

This would be his greatest challenge.

Te Akau pulls out all stops for record-breaking $1.65 million colt at Karaka

Newcomers to the training ranks would now be confronted with the unprecedented dominance of Ciaron Maher and Chris Waller, two of 3600 licensed trainers.

Te Akau’s Australian operation would have to be carefully constructed.

Ellis’ business partner and Te Akau’s head trainer Walker sat across from Gleeson at France-Soir and considered both the applicant and the menu.

Gleeson had done his due diligence, gleaning a great deal about Walker’s training and a little about his diet.

“Mark loves a steak,” Gleeson said.

“He ordered a nice steak and some beers straight away and I felt I could relax a little. We were there for probably two hours. He wanted to know my journey and me his. We spoke about the business of running a Cranbourne stable and I knew in my heart straight away that this was the place I wanted to be.”

Ellis was a start-up success story like few others.

In the Easter of 1971 he was studying farm agriculture and working three jobs – at the freezer work and as a house painter and petrol station attendant.

He saved and saved and in 1979 bought 575 acres in the Waimai Valley. He later bought surrounding farmland and created Te Akau Stud. He bought his first horse in 1983 and syndicated them under Te Akau Racing.

David Ellis (right) alongside Coolmore Australia principal Tom Magnier. (Photo: Magic Millions).

Walker was a young trainer who’d walked up Ellis’ driveway and asked for a job. Ellis took a punt on the quietly spoken youngster and by 2010, Walker had won five New Zealand premierships for Te Akau, which the following January opened a satellite stable in Singapore. Walker relocated and won four premierships.

The impending closure of Singapore racing and the departure of Te Akau’s champion young Kiwi trainer Jamie Richards to Hong Kong paved the way for Walker’s return. Last year, another young, emerging horseman, Sam Bergerson joined Walker as co-trainer for the New Zealand operation.  

“I knew the story of Mark walking up David’s driveway looking for a job and I knew that David was great at giving young people an opportunity,” Gleeson said. “I had nothing to lose.”

Gleeson had been raised on a horse farm near Seymour, worked for trainers Lee and Shannon Hope as a teenager, studied business management at Uni, had been a stable-hand for Peter Moody (Dave Eustace was his immediate boss), rode out at Newmarket as a foreman for Hugo Palmer and spent five years with Danny O’Brien at Flemington.

“I knew the story of Mark walking up David’s driveway looking for a job and I knew that David was great at giving young people an opportunity." - Ben Gleeson

Mate Calvin McEvoy nudged Gleeson to email Ellis. Renowned bloodstock man Henry Plumptre, in charge of Cambridge Stud, put in a good word for him.

“The email was short and simple. I told David that I felt ready to train and would love to be part of Te Akau,” he said.

“Within 24 hours I’d got a call from Mark. He told me they were opening a stable at Cranbourne. Next thing you know, we are at France-Soir planning the Cranbourne operation. I really felt Mark and I clicked.”

Te Akau had two stables in New Zealand and Ellis felt an Australian base would take the business “to the next level”.

Speaking from Karaka on Wednesday just after Te Akau paid $1.65 million for the I Am Invincible colt, Ellis said the team under Gleeson would be the shop window for Te Akau.

“I went all around the training centres and we concluded that Cranbourne was head and shoulders above the rest and would be the place we would launch the operation,” he said.

Ben Gleeson and Mark Walker have quickly formed a strong understanding, despite often being on opposite sides of the Tasman. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Perceptions that Te Akau was a private stable had been hard to shake. Ellis’ high profile as syndicate head had made it seem that way.

But the big studs and owners moved Te Akau’s way. Thirty boxes at Cranbourne will become 70 in the next fortnight when the new barn is completed.

Ellis said Walker had been with him “since the day he left school” and looked forward to Gleeson’s development.

“Ben is very well regarded in Australia and has been a big help in setting up the business. We have the best work riders, the best staff,” Ellis said.

Gleeson had underestimated the breadth of the role.

“At times I felt I was juggling eight balls in the air. I had to start a business from scratch, from staff applications to Racing Victoria, to acquiring treadmills, sourcing feeds, gear, machinery,” he said.

“It sort of blew my mind but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I feel I know every corner of the business. I have to admit I didn’t realise I had it in me.”

Gleeson sought out trusted former Moody workmate Jason Levin as foreman. Staff gravitated to a stable that Gleeson says operated on a “happy staff, happy horse” mantra.

On virtually the same day Levin arrived, so did Imperatriz. It was August 2023.

Walker had been impressed with Gleeson’s results at Cranbourne and quickly afforded him a degree of autonomy. Gleeson’s fingerprints were all over Imperatriz as she charged through the spring of 2023 and the autumn of 2024.

“Mark is a remarkable trainer. I picked up a few things along the way too and I find we have very fruitful discussions about how we want the horses trained. I listen a great deal to him but he’s allowed strong input from me,” Gleeson said.

Ellis described Imperatriz as “an amazing horse who came along at a very important time for us” and Gleeson said such rare horses “were the reason people like me want to train”.

Imperatriz had trialled poorly at Cranbourne a fortnight before she was to resume in the Black Caviar Lightning in February this year.

There were sleepless nights.

“I was a bit worried. Mark just says trust what you see and that she’s a race-day mare,” Gleeson said.

“She had a body that wasn’t easy to manage. We had two weeks to figure our way through it. We grew in confidence. Driving to Flemington Mark asked 'what’s your gut feel?'

"I said 'I think she will win'. She did, brilliantly."

Imperatriz was sold for $6.6 million at the end of her brilliant racing career. (Photo: Vince Caliguri/Getty Images)

Imperatriz has left the stable and Blake Shinn has wandered into it. Shinn rode track and trials for Te Akau in New Zealand last week and will be seen regularly in the famous tangerine.

Like Imperatriz, Shinn is good for the brand. He believes Te Akau will become a giant slayer.

“If they can emulate in Australia what they’ve done in New Zealand they will be huge,” Shinn said. “They’ve already done it here with Imperatriz and other horses. You can see where they’re heading.

“I spent some time with David in New Zealand and learned a lot about him and his vision. In two years’ time people will be saying 'wow, where did they come from?'”

[Huey]

They are flying , their $1.3m Snitzel  colt winning a 2yo Listed race today ... so good to see plucky battlers pick up a race like this with a cheap one.

[Chief Stipe]

40 minutes ago, Huey said:

They are flying , their $1.3m Snitzel  colt winning a 2yo Listed race today ... so good to see plucky battlers pick up a race like this with a cheap one.

Good to see you coming round.  With positive comments like this one you'll be signing up to a syndicate soon.

[Pete Lane]

I don't really care how much they paid for the Snitzel colt. I love watching good horses and I think he's going to be a star.

[Gammalite]

37 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Good to see you coming round.  With positive comments like this one you'll be signing up to a syndicate soon.

alas Its A Wild Night just battled just now in the Cranbourne Cup for 5th and couldn't quite reel the leaders in , but a nice bloke who races trotters is enjoying being a Te Akau syndicate member involved with that handy horse .

He's having a great time enjoying that. 

The bloke won a Group 1 at Addington last week with his 2 yearold trotter in his syndicate too. so has a nice dual code combo going. should try that one day I think bucket-list lol 😉

Sans Doute and Quintessa  a couple of handy Te Akau Mares,  have sort of lost form lately after tough runs in the Freak Flemington Hailstorm on Sept 14th. just haven't recovered from that shocking day.

wonder if is too expensive to freshen them in NZ these days ? flights and that?.  

Edited yesterday at 06:13 AM by Gammalite

[Huey]

12 hours ago, Pete Lane said:

I don't really care how much they paid for the Snitzel colt. I love watching good horses and I think he's going to be a star.

You think he is going to win a G1 2yo race in Aus?

I agree he can be considered a star if he does so. None of these overblown 2yo races they get away with winning in NZ that's gives them cult like status with the chief.

[Chief Stipe]

50 minutes ago, Huey said:

I agree he can be considered a star if he does so. None of these overblown 2yo races they get away with winning in NZ that's gives them cult like status with the chief.

FFS the horse has only had one start and you already have the envy knocking glasses on.

You never post anything of substance to support your criticism.  

Although you've been asked countless times and have never answered the question - what is your actual problem with Te Akau?  

[Pete Lane]

58 minutes ago, Huey said:

You think he is going to win a G1 2yo race in Aus?

I agree he can be considered a star if he does so. None of these overblown 2yo races they get away with winning in NZ that's gives them cult like status with the chief.

He very well could. Who knows?

I find it peculiar that people seem keen on knocking a horse that has done everything asked of him and never got out of third gear.

I'm sure if anyone else trained him you'd be joining the fan club.

[All The Aces]

13 hours ago, Gammalite said:

alas Its A Wild Night just battled just now in the Cranbourne Cup for 5th and couldn't quite reel the leaders in , but a nice bloke who races trotters is enjoying being a Te Akau syndicate member involved with that handy horse .

He's having a great time enjoying that. 

The bloke won a Group 1 at Addington last week with his 2 yearold trotter in his syndicate too. so has a nice dual code combo going. should try that one day I think bucket-list lol 😉

Sans Doute and Quintessa  a couple of handy Te Akau Mares,  have sort of lost form lately after tough runs in the Freak Flemington Hailstorm on Sept 14th. just haven't recovered from that shocking day.

wonder if is too expensive to freshen them in NZ these days ? flights and that?.  

Wild Night was given an average ride by Shinn to be fair. Race was over by the time he got clear air. 

[Chief Stipe]

15 minutes ago, All The Aces said:

Wild Night was given an average ride by Shinn to be fair. Race was over by the time he got clear air. 

Wild Night had a very nice run one out 3 back.  Just got caught behind  horses that fanned out in front of him when they started to come round him.  Perfect ride until then.

A gap did come but a tad late and he wasnt going well enough to take it.

[Huey]

11 hours ago, Pete Lane said:

He very well could. Who knows?

I find it peculiar that people seem keen on knocking a horse that has done everything asked of him and never got out of third gear.

I'm sure if anyone else trained him you'd be joining the fan club.

I have no knock for the horse. Wish it the best of luck, but sorry can't buy into the  hype over an exorbitantly expensive yearling beating up the local battlers and being heralded for it over & over again. Take it to Aus where it should be & I'll be the first to congratulate them, just like they did with Imperatriz which was outstanding. 

[Pete Lane]

4 minutes ago, Huey said:

I have no knock for the horse. Wish it the best of luck, but sorry can't buy into the  hype over an exorbitantly expensive yearling beating up the local battlers and being heralded for it over & over again. Take it to Aus where it should be & I'll be the first to congratulate them, just like they did with Imperatriz which was outstanding. 

Hardly over and over again. It's had one start which it won without getting out of third gear.

It may prove to be a damp squib but why do you feel the need to belittle its efforts so far?

[Chief Stipe]

15 minutes ago, Huey said:

but sorry can't buy into the  hype over an exorbitantly expensive yearling beating up the local battlers

How was it exorbitantly expensive?  The market determined the price.

As for the hype you don't seem to buy into any hype.  Do you have a good news story to post about a local battler?

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Pete Lane said:

Hardly over and over again. It's had one start which it won without getting out of third gear.

It won three trials prior to its race day start and was never out of third gear in any of them.

@Huey is suggesting that Te Akau should place the horse somewhere to get beaten rather than collecting black type and stakemoney for its owners in NZ where those owners reside.  @Huey would then criticise Te Akau for buying a dud if it got beaten.  Lets face it you can't win with @Huey.  

Hell the winner of the 1000 Guineas 2024 won its maiden race at Taiherenikau as a two year old which was probably the making of the horse.  Yeah na according to @Huey it probably should have started at Randwick first up against one of Gai Waterhouse's wound up youngsters!

[Huey]

13 hours ago, Pete Lane said:

Hardly over and over again. It's had one start which it won without getting out of third gear.

It may prove to be a damp squib but why do you feel the need to belittle its efforts so far?

Obviously I didn't mean the horse doing it over and over again ... duh!

I haven't belittled it once , but what did it beat?

[Huey]

13 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

How was it exorbitantly expensive?  The market determined the price.

As for the hype you don't seem to buy into any hype.  Do you have a good news story to post about a local battler?

No because they are constantly getting beaten up by over hyped expensive Aus bred yearlings in 2yo races , then belittled by a bunch of fools who consistently fall for this garbage. 

It's like a an Adult boxer taking on a kid.

[Huey]

13 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

It won three trials prior to its race day start and was never out of third gear in any of them.

@Huey is suggesting that Te Akau should place the horse somewhere to get beaten rather than collecting black type and stakemoney for its owners in NZ where those owners reside.  @Huey would then criticise Te Akau for buying a dud if it got beaten.  Lets face it you can't win with @Huey.  

Hell the winner of the 1000 Guineas 2024 won its maiden race at Taiherenikau as a two year old which was probably the making of the horse.  Yeah na according to @Huey it probably should have started at Randwick first up against one of Gai Waterhouse's wound up youngsters!

Instead Fanboy thinks it should be running against Time Tests, Contributors and Van Bs and then getting heralded as the new Mcginty . 

That bred and price tag automatically dictates that it should be performing in Aus 2yo races before club Fanboy calls it the next big thing.

Wow it won 3 trials in NZ ... wow, youre easily impressed.

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, Huey said:

No because they are constantly getting beaten up by over hyped expensive Aus bred yearlings in 2yo races , then belittled by a bunch of fools who consistently fall for this garbage.

WHAT IS THE GARBAGE?  A talented two year old wins a race.  How is that garbage?

They are expensive because they are well bred and the market has determined the price.

3 minutes ago, Huey said:

It's like a an Adult boxer taking on a kid.

Are you suggesting all Ozzie breds should be banned from competing in NZ 2 yr old races because the NZ "battler" can't compete?  I guess you are happy with the NZ Kiwi slot race where only NZ bred horses can compete.  Who does that help?  When many of the horses running in OZ at elite level are NZ bred!!

You are belittling NZ trainers by calling them battlers.

When was the last time YOU owned and raced a horse?  Successfully.

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, Huey said:

Instead Fanboy thinks it should be running against Time Tests, Contributors and Van Bs and then getting heralded as the new Mcginty .

Can you explain what you are meaning by this nonsensical statement?

3 minutes ago, Huey said:

That bred and price tag automatically dictates that it should be performing in Aus 2yo races before club Fanboy calls it the next big thing.

Does that include NZ Bred Karaka sales toppers?  If NZ breeders hadn't brought in overseas blood then wouldn't be any NZ breeding or racing industry.  You are promoting mediocrity for NZ Racing which is a slipperly slope to extinction.  Ironically you can't see that the Sweepstake and Slot races are actually doing that very thing.

[Huey]

2 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

WHAT IS THE GARBAGE?  A talented two year old wins a race.  How is that garbage?

They are expensive because they are well bred and the market has determined the price.

Are you suggesting all Ozzie breds should be banned from competing in NZ 2 yr old races because the NZ "battler" can't compete?  I guess you are happy with the NZ Kiwi slot race where only NZ bred horses can compete.  Who does that help?  When many of the horses running in OZ at elite level are NZ bred!!

You are belittling NZ trainers by calling them battlers.

When was the last time YOU owned and raced a horse?  Successfully.

No what I'm suggesting is Club Fanboy puts some perspective on when they start licking their lips over mismatch races like this.

[Chief Stipe]

12 minutes ago, Huey said:

Obviously I didn't mean the horse doing it over and over again ... duh!

I haven't belittled it once , but what did it beat?

You just did belittle it AGAIN!

[Huey]

Just now, Chief Stipe said:

Can you explain what you are meaning by this nonsensical statement?

Does that include NZ Bred Karaka sales toppers?  If NZ breeders hadn't brought in overseas blood then wouldn't be any NZ breeding or racing industry.  You are promoting mediocrity for NZ Racing which is a slipperly slope to extinction.  Ironically you can't see that the Sweepstake and Slot races are actually doing that very thing.

Rubbish ! I'm promoting perspective and some relief for your delusion.

How is this so good for NZ breeding if these animals aren't successful in Aus?

[Huey]

1 minute ago, Chief Stipe said:

You just did belittle it AGAIN!

No that's a question , what did it beat is a question. Apparently its great for NZ breeding, how ?

[Chief Stipe]

8 minutes ago, Huey said:

No what I'm suggesting is Club Fanboy puts some perspective on when they start licking their lips over mismatch races like this.

As opposed to knocking the trainer and bellittling an obviously talented well bred colt?

For your info there isn't any Club Fanboy - unless you call someone who appreciates a good type and conformation, well bred and well trained horse a Fanboy.

Do you get any enjoyment from watching racing?

[Chief Stipe]

13 minutes ago, Huey said:

How is this so good for NZ breeding if these animals aren't successful in Aus?

Give the horse a chance.  For your information if you want to make a Stallion then yes you need some Ozzie black type to be commercial.  However that hasn't stopped some stallions having no form at all being commercially successuful.

It is also good for NZ breeding because these horses set a standard i.e. a form of natural selection.  If your NZ bred colt can't foot it with any other colt under NZ conditions then arguably it isn't going to the breeding barn unless it is exceptionally well bred.