NRL Great Jarrod Croker Steps Inside Te Akau's Search for Future Champions

What does it take to identify a future champion before they ever step onto a racetrack?

Te Akau catches up with former NRL great Jarrod Croker at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he gains a firsthand look at the meticulous process behind selecting the next generation of elite thoroughbred athletes.

Having spent his career competing at the highest level of professional sport, Croker understands the qualities required for success. Preparation, physical structure, athleticism, temperament, and the ability to perform under pressure were all key ingredients throughout his NRL career. At Magic Millions, he discovers how those same principles are applied when assessing young horses long before their racing careers begin.

Guiding him through the process are Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Te Akau Australia Assistant Trainer Ben Gleeson. Together, they provide a unique insight into how Te Akau approaches one of the world's premier yearling sales, from months of pedigree research and catalogue analysis through to the detailed physical inspection of each horse on the sales grounds.

As an elite athlete himself, Jarrod brings a unique perspective to the sales grounds, discovering firsthand the qualities Te Akau believes can turn a young yearling into a future racetrack star. From pedigree and athleticism to attitude and physical presence, this is a rare opportunity to view the selection process through the eyes of a professional sportsman as Jarrod learns what Te Akau looks for when searching for its next champion.