CHAMPIONS ARE MADE BEFORE DAWN | Te Akau Matamata Spotlight

Have you ever wanted to see how Te Akau Racing really works? How our mornings begin, how our people move, and what it truly takes to build a champion from the ground up?

Before the sun rises over Matamata, the roar of horsepower at Te Akau is already alive.


The lights cut through the darkness across the track as our horses step out with purpose, and the day begins long before most people wake.

In the first episode of our new documentary series, Champions Are Made Before Dawn, we invite viewers inside the heartbeat of New Zealand’s most successful racing stable. Guided by former Black Cap Kyle Mills and broadcaster Guy Heveldt, two men who understand elite performance, this opening chapter reveals why Te Akau has become a benchmark for excellence in horses, systems, and our very important people that make this all possible.

In this episode, we introduce New Zealand co-trainer Sam Bergerson, whose leadership sets the tone for Te Akau’s New Zealand operation, alongside New Zealand assistant trainer Reece Trumper and Kohen Collett, our colt barn foreman, who represent the next generation coming through the Te Akau team. Together, they reflect the depth of talent, mentorship, and progression that underpins the stable. Their clarity, calmness, and instinct embody a culture built on precision and purpose, shaped by years of learning and the responsibility of carrying a legacy forward.

If you trace the Te Akau story back through the decades, one truth remains constant. David Ellis CNZM identifies talent before others see it, not just in yearlings, but in people. Alongside Mark Walker and Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Te Akau has been built on the belief that developing young New Zealanders is essential to the future of our industry. Just as we shape a yearling into an athlete, we commit to shaping young horsemen and horsewomen into the next leaders of racing.

This philosophy extends beyond Te Akau. When opportunity is given to youth, the entire New Zealand racing industry grows stronger.

This is where champions begin.
This is where the next generation learns.
This is where the Te Akau legacy continues to grow.
Champions aren’t made in the spotlight.
They’re made before dawn.
And at Te Akau, legacies begin here.

To learn more about Te Akau Racing and what truly sets our stable apart, even beyond our unbeaten results with over 101 Group 1 victories and counting, visit our new to racing page and explore Your Journey Into Racehorse Ownership.

This dedicated guide is designed for those curious about getting involved in racing the right way. From understanding how ownership works to discovering upcoming yearlings and share opportunities, it’s your first step inside the Te Akau experience.

Your journey into racehorse ownership starts here - https://teakauracing.com/your-journey-into-racehorse-ownership