Racing: Ellis ready to do battle with invaders

Prominent owner David Ellis has struck a massive blow for the New Zealand breeding industry at the Karaka Yearling Sales over the past two years, buying $1 million colts Darci Brahma and Don Garcia.

Both sons of deceased super sire Danehill were bought and syndicated by Ellis, who operates under the name of Te Akau Thoroughbreds. They are prepared by leading trainer Mark Walker.

The pair are viewed as potential stallion propositions once they are retired from racing and may stand at stud in New Zealand.

Overseas buyers arrive in Auckland to pounce on New Zealand's premier thoroughbred yearlings, many of which are then exported to race overseas.

Ellis has led the local buying bench to prevent this consistent plundering.

He has his own bidding system when going into battle with other buyers at Karaka. He likes to wink at one of the auctioneering spotters, hoping to draw as little attention as possible from rivals.

"Mark and I inspect every yearling that is entered and when I bid, I want to draw as little attention to myself as possible," said Ellis.

"I do have a number of orders from clients for this year's sale but I'm not sure if I'll be going to seven figures to buy a yearling.

"I have purchased yearlings since the 1982 sales in New Zealand and I think it's going to be a very good year to buy at Karaka.

"The $50,000 to $100,000 bracket will be excellent value for money for colts, while the top end of the market will also be very strong.

"There will be a lot of great racehorses that will come out of the yearling sales this year. Last year we purchased 30.

"Mark and I have worked together since he left secondary school.

"This season, he has trained 12 stakes winners in New Zealand and the next best performed trainer has trained four.

"We try to buy a yearling which will win stakes races. That is what every buyer goes to the Karaka sales attempting to do.

"With Darci Brahma and Kindacross doing outstanding jobs on the racetrack this has certainly lifted the profile of the Mark Walker stable.

"He has trained over 35 stakes winners during the past three seasons. With that success we have had an increase in horse ownership in the stable and, of course, more orders for the yearling sales."

Ellis has a 2800-acre sheep and cattle farm in Te Akau, Ngaruawahia, with 600 acres set aside for racehorses.

"All the yearlings we buy at the sales will go straight into properly fenced paddocks that we have prepared for five months awaiting their arrival.

"They will have a 10-week stint on the farm then the breaking-in process begins and they will spend time with horsemen like Phil Stevens and Opie Bosson before arriving at Mark 's property.

"It's a proven formula we have here at Te Akau which is continually getting results and we will be judged on them at the end of the season."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY