Written by Richard Edmunds
Cover image courtesy of Te Akau Racing
Te Akau Racing have appointed Ben Gleeson as its Australian assistant trainer as they prepare to launch a permanent base at Cranbourne in Victoria.
The New Zealand syndication juggernaut has dominated Kiwi racing in recent times, with current head trainer Mark Walker setting a new all-time record with 196 wins in New Zealand so far this season – guaranteeing the Te Akau operation its fourth consecutive New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership title. But the powerhouse stable has also made its presence felt on Australian racetracks, winning Group 1 races in the last few years with the likes of Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and this year’s William Reid S. winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
Now Te Akau is expanding its Australian footprint with its new Cranbourne base. Horses are expected to be stabled there from the first week in September, with around 20 likely to be based there by November. Te Akau hopes to have as many as 60 to 80 horses stabled at Cranbourne in 12 to 18 months’ time.
A key part of this new venture is Gleeson, who has previously had five years’ experience as an assistant trainer to Danny O’Brien, along with working for the likes of Peter Moody, Henry Dwyer, Lee and Shannon Hope, and British trainer Hugo Palmer.
Ben Gleeson | Image courtesy of Te Akau Racing
“David Ellis and Mark Walker offered me the role, which is obviously a position too good not to take up,” Gleeson said. “I’m both humbled and excited about the appointment and glad to be joining the Te Akau team.
“I’m joining an operation that is incredibly successful, especially over the past decade, one that reaches an international ownership base and I’ve always been keen to get out and meet as many people in the industry as possible.
“I find it very satisfying meeting new people that share the love of horse breeding and racing, and on top of that it’s an opportunity to work with Mark, who has proved himself a world-class trainer – training in New Zealand and Singapore, and the number of training titles (10) he’s won.
“It’s incredibly attractive to work alongside someone with his knowledge, experience, and achievements, and to work with horses that are largely selected and bought by David Ellis (CNZM) who has established himself as not only having a great eye for a horse, but also running such a successful farming and thoroughbred business.”
“It’s incredibly attractive to work alongside someone with his (Mark Walker) knowledge, experience, and achievements, and to work with horses that are largely selected and bought by David Ellis (CNZM)...” - Ben Gleeson
Part of Gleeson’s initiation into the Te Akau team will be a stint at their Matamata stable next month.
“I arrive on August 13, and am looking forward to seeing all the horses, and finding out the detail of the stable operations,” he said. “I’ll be ready to apply this, with my own experience, as we kick off at Cranbourne.
“Mark (Walker) is very open-minded and encourages input from all his team, which is probably why he’s such a successful trainer. I am really looking forward to being involved in putting Te Akau Australia on the map.”
“Mark (Walker) is very open-minded and encourages input from all his team, which is probably why he’s such a successful trainer. I am really looking forward to being involved in putting Te Akau Australia on the map.” - Ben Gleeson
David Ellis is delighted to have been able to secure Gleeson for the role.
"I am very proud to welcome Ben (Gleeson) to the Te Akau team,” he said. “His appointment as assistant trainer for our new Australian operation is a key one and he brings an outstanding CV to the role, rich in Australian and international experience.
David Ellis | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“Ben knows the Australian racing environment like the back of his hand, and everything he does is with a huge degree of professionalism and energy. I know he will be a major asset to our new stable.”
