Ellis appointed Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Te Akau Racing founder and principal David Ellis has been appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, recognising his decades of service to thoroughbred racing, philanthropy and the wider New Zealand community.

The honour marks a milestone in a career spanning more than 40 years, during which Ellis has played a central role in shaping New Zealand racing into an internationally respected industry. He and his wife, Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM – now Lady Karyn Ellis – said they were “deeply humbled” by the recognition.

While the knighthood acknowledges Sir David’s individual contribution, it also reflects the wider Te Akau community, including owners, staff and industry participants who have supported the organisation’s growth.

Ellis’ journey in racing began as a teenager at Ellerslie in 1971, where watching future Melbourne Cup winner Silver Knight sparked a lifelong passion. From modest beginnings – working multiple jobs to fund his first farm purchase – he established Te Akau Stud and later Te Akau Racing, now widely regarded as New Zealand’s most successful racing operation.

Over the past four decades, Ellis has become the most prolific buyer of thoroughbreds in Australasia, investing more than $150 million in New Zealand yearlings alone. Under his leadership, Te Akau has achieved 16 New Zealand Trainers’ Premierships and four in Singapore, alongside more than 400 stakes wins and over 100 Group One victories.

However, industry leaders say his legacy extends beyond statistics. Former New Zealand Bloodstock chairman Joe Walls MNZM said Ellis’ greatest contribution may be the people he has developed.

“David so deserves this honour, for many reasons,” Walls said. “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.”

Graduates of the Te Akau system include leading trainers Mark Walker and Jamie Richards, as well as champion jockey Opie Bosson. Numerous apprentices and young industry professionals have also built careers through the organisation.

Walls also highlighted Ellis’ influence on the broader breeding and sales sector, particularly his role in sustaining the New Zealand National Yearling Sales.

“David almost single-handedly held the New Zealand National Yearling Sales together over the last 20-plus years,” he said. “There has been no one like him on the buying bench at the sales over the past 40 years.”

In addition to his racing success, Ellis has contributed to governance and industry development, serving on the Waikato Racing Club board — including five years as chairman — and supporting the transition of New Zealand’s racing administration.

Walls said Ellis’ achievements reflected both dedication and resilience. “He has done a hell of a lot of good things for the industry, and a lot also outside of racing,” he said. “He built his farm up from nothing — creating a model farm from meagre beginnings.”