David Ellis
Thoroughbred Selector for Fortuna and Principal of Te Akau Racing
David Ellis, Principal of Te Akau Stud, is acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s most successful and astute race horse buyers, breeders, owners and syndicators. David is a renowned judge of bloodstock and this expertise has seen the Te Akau operation become one of the most dominant influences in the New Zealand thoroughbred racing world.
David led in his first winner back to the winners' circle more than 30 years ago and notched his first Group One winner, Easter Handicap winner, Cosmetique, 28 years ago. Ever since that time, there has been a remarkable stream of Group One winners in David Ellis’ Te Akau's tangerine and blue colours. Such success has grown from David’s unreserved passion for racing and his desire to be the best. During the 1990s and into the new millennium David has established himself as a leading buyer of bloodstock in Australasia. Horses that David has purchased have won more than 100 stakes races.
In the past five years he has been the most dominant New Zealand buyer at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka. In the past five years, David has outlaid over $45 million at Karaka making his commitment a serious influence.
David has a very good eye for a horse which is shown by his proven record of selecting high-class racehorses. He has consistently selected top quality thoroughbred s for FORTUNA which in turn has enabled FORTUNA to introduce many people from all walks to life to the excitement of horse racing through syndication with great results.