MATAMATA, NEW ZEALAND
Te Akau Racing Stables New Zealand is based at the Matamata training centre on the North Island of New Zealand.
The Matamata training centre, situated at the Matamata Racecourse, offers first-class training facilities for approximately 600 horses.
The facility is home to four separate Te Akau barns on the course, with a 12-acre post-and-railed property adjacent to the Matamata track where horses can spend time in day paddocks.
We own modern treadmill and horse walking machines, providing training variety and tailored regimens for each horse. Additionally, we contract a professional water treadmill partner, a pivotal component in our innovative approach to our training programme.
At the helm of our Matamata training centre is Te Akau New Zealand trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, who last season produced 169 wins, including 63 in the South Island, and $8 million in stakes money, to record the 15th premiership title for Te Akau.
Mark Walker, who had previously won six premierships in New Zealand and four in Singapore, and broke both prize money and winning tally records in both countries, set a New Zealand record 203 wins in 2022/23.
At Matamata, Walker & Bergerson are aided by assistant trainer Reece Trumper, and racing manager Michael Gray, along with a dedicated team of experienced and talented track work riders, stable-hands, vets, farriers, and administrative staff.
Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson
Mark Walker – Te Akau New Zealand Trainer with training partner Sam Bergerson – is a world-class horse trainer, with six Champion Trainer titles in New Zealand, and four in Singapore.
Walker joined Te Akau Racing straight from school and rose to the heights of top-class thoroughbred trainer, capable of making his mark in any racing jurisdiction worldwide.
Sam Bergerson – Te Akau NZ Assistant Trainer entered into a training partnership with Mark Walker – the pair assuming the helm of our New Zealand operation for the new season commencing 2023/24.
Sam is an outstanding individual, from a family with a strong industry background and is a fine example of the very best talent in our industry.