NZ Hall of Fame inductees include Savabeel, Ellis and Octagonal

Cover image courtesy of the New Zealand Hall of Fame

The 2025 New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame evening in Hamilton on Sunday evening was intended as a night of reflection and celebration. But as guests arrived, news began to circulate.

Earlier on Sunday, a tragic accident occurred on the Schick family’s property near Cambridge. Rodney Schick, Managing Director of Windsor Park Stud, was critically injured in an ATV accident. Roddy and Gina's 10-year-old son, Jimmy, sadly lost his life. Two other children were also injured.

Many in the room were colleagues, clients, and close friends of the Schick family, with Windsor Park Stud having long stood as one of New Zealand’s most respected breeding operations. The Schick family has been generous with their time, their knowledge, their leadership and their support of others in the industry. They are widely admired, and deeply woven into the fabric of New Zealand racing.

In recent weeks, Roddy Schick and the team at Windsor Park Stud have continued in their usual way, quietly and characteristically, to put others first. Through the donation of a Profondo nomination and the Rugby, Racing and Beer Yearling Sale in Christchurch, more than $30,000 has been raised for causes including the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust, Hato Hone St John, the Child Cancer Foundation, and the Higgins Family Trust, supporting the family of the late Amanda Higgins.

Roddy remains in a critical condition. He and his family are firmly in the thoughts and in the hearts of the racing community around the world as we pray for his recovery.

What followed was a Hall of Fame ceremony underpinned by the respectful and heartfelt reminder of the people and horses that bind the New Zealand racing community together like a family.

David Ellis and Imperatriz: Legacy in motion

There was something poetic about David Ellis and Imperatriz being inducted on the same night. One the syndication pioneer who reshaped how racehorse ownership works in New Zealand. The other, the brilliant sprinting mare whose 10 Group 1 wins made her a household name.

“It’s a huge privilege,” Ellis said. “Something that I’ve received, but there’s so many people that have been part of it - like Mark Walker, Sam Bergerson, and so many young people that I’m very proud of.”

Ellis changed the game by opening it up to more people.

“We found early, if you want to train good horses, you’ve got to go and buy them. Not many people can afford that on their own. So we’d buy them, and people would take five or 10 percent shares. And it just worked.”

And the horses keep coming. Despite saying a few years ago that he would scale back, Ellis bought 70 horses this season, spending nearly $19 million. He’s not slowing down. In fact, Te Akau’s expansion into Australia, through their growing Cranbourne base, is only accelerating.

“We started this season with 28 horses in training at Cranbourne and will start next season with 70. Our second barn is now built. We want to take Te Akau to the next level.”

He also spoke about selecting where to place young horses based on owner location, ensuring people can see their horses race where they live. His sense of responsibility to owners — even those with a 5 per cent share — is part of what sets Te Akau apart.

“I’m lucky to do for a living what my hobby is,” he said. “Not that many people are that lucky. And I am.”

He saved his biggest praise for Karyn Fenton-Ellis. “There’s not one part of the business she’s not involved in. I’m so lucky to have, firstly, a beautiful wife, and secondly, a great business partner.”

Imperatriz won more Group 1s in 2023 than any horse in the world. What Karyn wanted to talk about to loveracing.co.nz, though, wasn’t the record, it was the feel.

“She transcended our two nations. She captured hearts on both sides of the Tasman. It wasn’t just about winning races, she actually won a lot of hearts.”

She also told the story of a moment after Imperatriz was beaten narrowly in the Newmarket Handicap, a race the mare usually would’ve won.

“Opie said she came back looking for the Clerk of the Course - because she was so used to being interviewed after the race. He leaned over and gave her a pat and said, 'Don’t worry darling, we’ll be back there.' And we were.”

The Big O

From one black horse to another. Octagonal (NZ), the mighty son of Zabeel (NZ); a horse so beloved he earned a place in both the Australian and New Zealand Halls of Fame.

“He meant so much,” said Debbie Kepitis, daughter of Bob Ingham. “Dad and Jack were so excited to have purchased him here in New Zealand. They were great friends of Sir Patrick’s. So to take him to Australia and have him run as well as he did, especially as a two-year-old - that was something.”

Her standout memory? The 1995 Cox Plate win; one of the great ones.

“I couldn’t be there. I was at a wedding with a baby that was eight weeks old. But I remember it so clearly. And when he won the Tancred... he wasn’t first before the line, wasn’t first after the line, he was only first on the line. That’s pretty phenomenal. He knew where the line was.”

Octagonal’s legacy continues in his sons, grandsons, and the fans who still remember the signs, the t-shirts, the chants.

As Debbie said: “Racing is the horse.”

A tough and strong kiwi

Dundeel (NZ)’s co-owner and breeder, Murray Anderson accepted Dundeel’s induction with quiet pride.

“He just had a big heart,” he said. “He knew every time he raced he was going to be in the money. He's given us a great ride, and to carry on and do it at stud as he's currently doing. It's just been an amazing journey, and long may it continue.”

Dundeel became a New Zealand hero and an Australian star, stringing together classic wins and eventually securing the Australian 3-year-old Sydney Triple Crown of the G1 Rosehill Guineas, G1 Randwick Guienas and G1 Australian Derby. But Anderson’s favourite race wasn’t one of those; it was the 2013 Underwood Stakes, where he beat Atlantic Jewel.

“Coolmore told me we had no chance,” Anderson said in his loveracing.co.nz interview. “But James had him up on the pace - he never did that before. If he hadn’t done that, he wouldn’t have won. It was a superb ride.”

Anderson also paid tribute to the people around Dundeel.

“Murray Baker trained for me for many, many years - he was the best Murray ever had. And you can’t have a good horse without a top strapper. Emily Murphy was amazing.”

Savabeel still writing his story

Savabeel doesn’t turn 24 until later this year, but it already feels like he’s been part of the New Zealand studbook forever.

Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick remembered how securing the legendary Champion stallion all started - with a phone call from Bruce Perry and a $10 million price tag.

“It was a chance call. Bruce got wind the horse was going to be sold. It was a big number, especially 20 years ago, but we put it together in 24 hours.”

What followed was a career that rivalled the best.

“He had that will to win, that turn of foot in the Cox Plate. Trainers said his stock were sound, they ate well, and they put it in on the racetrack.”

Chittick said what Savabeel’s done “as a racehorse, as a sire, and now as a broodmare sire” is something Waikato will feel the benefit of for decades.

“He’s allowed us to buy other stallions, to grow. He's second only to Zabeel in terms of stakes winners. Hopefully, one day, he's second to none.”

The Originals

Not every inductee needed a recent headline. The Hall also paused to honour two men whose names are woven into the sport’s foundation.

First, Thomas Henry Lowry, breeder of champions, including the legendary Desert Gold (NZ) (All Black {GB}).

Tom and Pat Lowry accepted the award on behalf of the family.

“Uncle Pat is now the matriarch,” said Tom. “Our father’s recently passed, and we’ve got another couple of generations coming to Ōkawa.”

Pat Lowry admitted they didn’t know Thomas personally, “I was five when he passed on,” but said his legend was always close by.

“He was a wonderful stockman, and a wonderful breeder. We’ve always been in awe of what he achieved.”

On Desert Gold: “I think she won 19 in a row. I’ve got a couple of her shoes at home. She held the record for stakes earned by a New Zealand horse for years. She was famous.”

Tom added simply, “To be associated with good horses, good land and good people — it’s a privilege.”

Then came Sir Stanley Goosman, businessman, parliamentarian, and 10-time leading owner between the 1940s and 1960s.

Peter Henley, representing the family, shared the story.

“My wife Lois was Sir Stanley’s granddaughter. This young lady here is our daughter, his great-granddaughter.”

Henley remembered a man who bought horses for fun but took it seriously enough to leave a mark. Goosman was the leading owner in New Zealand on 10 occasions, supported by trainer Fred Smith and a keen eye for well-priced horses.

“He told me he had horses to get a bit of relaxation. He spent a lot, won a lot, and probably came out about even in the long run. He would’ve been over the moon about this. It was a hobby to him, but he gave a lot back. It’s very richly deserved.”

Also honoured was Limerick, the near-unbeatable gelding of the 1920s, who won 29 races including 13 at Group 1 equivalent level and two Cox Plates.

David Woodhouse, great-grandson of breeder Harry Knight, was there to see him inducted.

Limerick’s Sydney record of 22 wins was unmatched until Kingston Town (Bletchingly). “Only Winx has done that since,” Woodhouse said. “He was a remarkable horse.”

Trained by Fred Jones and ridden almost exclusively by Maurice McCarten, Limerick was known for his consistency, soundness and temperament. He raced at the top level across three seasons, beating champions like Windbag, Amounis and Gothic.

His induction marked a nod to New Zealand’s long history of producing world-class stayers, a reminder that greatness isn’t a new concept in this part of the world.

One of those evenings

The Hall of Fame evening moved between eras, between emotions. There were ovations and quiet conversations. Horses whose names are carved in history. People who made them what they were.

And throughout it all, a deep undercurrent of solidarity for the Schick family.

A reminder that this is a sport made up of people first - and of horses who bring them together when they need it most.