Bergerson claims supreme title at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards

One half of New Zealand’s most dominant thoroughbred training partnership has been recognised at the Industry Excellence Awards, with Sam Bergerson claiming the supreme Entain Excellence Award at a function at Ellerslie last night (29 June).

Bergerson (31) has been in partnership with Mark Walker at Te Akau Racing for the past two seasons, and has quickly established himself as one of New Zealand’s most talented trainers, winning the New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership in 2023/24.

With Mark Walker now largely based at Te Akau’s Melbourne stable, Bergerson has led the New Zealand arm of the powerful operation to a commanding 26-win lead with a month to go in the premiership, and has already eclipsed the record for stakes won in New Zealand, passing $9 million earlier this month.

Bergerson was eligible for the overall Entain Excellence Award after winning the Equine Licence Holder Excellence category earlier in the night. He was ecstatic to be named as the supreme winner out of the nine category winners, with nominations open to all New Zealanders under the age of 40 involved in the racing and breeding industry.

“It’s fantastic to be recognised by Entain, who are doing so much for the industry,” Bergson said.

“I feel very privileged to receive these awards, and privileged to be in the position I’m in. I love what I do, and I don’t think I could do what I do without loving it.”

Nathan Purdon, who has formed a successful partnership with his father Mark Purdon, was recognised as the winner of the Leadership Excellence category having impressed the judges with his foresight to adapt and deliver at the top level of harness racing.

Emma Thompson was the driving force behind the promotion of the inaugural running of The NZB Kiwi in March, and her efforts to raise the profile of the brand-new race, earned her the award for Administration and Innovation Excellence.

The future of the breeding industry looks strong, with Waikato Stud yearling manager Olivia Blane collecting the Stud, Stable & Kennel Excellence prize, Wentwood Grange yearling manager Brad Molander earning the Dedication To Breeding Excellence award, and Cambridge Stud assistant yearling manager Alice Jeffries being named as the Newcomer Excellence winner.

Lisa Kennedy’s efforts in re-educating and rehoming former racehorses as the lead re-trainer at EventStars were acknowledged when she was announced as the Care & Welfare Excellence winner.

Caitlyn O’Sullivan Doyle’s multi-faceted involvement in the racing industry – as a marketer, a communicator, ambassador, presenter and owner – made her a popular winner of the National Racing Woman Of The Year category, and the Greyhound Excellence award was won by Katie Wyllie, who trains in partnership with greyhound racing icon Dave Fahey.

Category winners received $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000. As the Entain Excellence Award winner, Bergerson received an extra $5,000 and a $5,000 educational package.

Entain’s General Manager – New Zealand and member of the judging panel, Jessica Meech, said the award winners are a reminder of the emerging talent that abounds in a New Zealand industry so steeped in history.

“The younger generation are making their mark in a huge way, and we’re blessed with the talented leaders and influential Kiwis who were nominated, finalists, or won their categories,” Meech said.

“Sam Bergerson is the perfect example of a Kiwi in the racing industry grabbing an opportunity with both hands, then building on it to scale new and impressive heights.

“We congratulate Sam, the eight other category winners, and everyone who was nominated for the 2025 Industry Excellence Awards.”

Industry Excellence Awards Category winners:

Administration and Innovation Excellence: Emma Thompson (NZTR)

Care & Welfare Excellence: Lisa Kennedy (Event Stars Ltd)

Newcomer Excellence: Alice Jeffries (Cambridge Stud)

Stud, Stable & Kennel Excellence: Olivia Blane (Waikato Stud)

Dedication to Breeding Excellence: Brad Molander (Wentwood Grange)

EquineLicence Holder Excellence: Sam Bergerson (Te Akau Racing)

Greyhound Excellence: Katie Wyllie (Fahey/Wyllie training partnership)

Leadership Excellence: Nathan Purdon (Purdon Racing, harness racing)

National Racing Woman of the Year: Caitlin O'Sullivan Doyle (thoroughbred & harness racing)

ENTAIN EXCELLENCE (supreme): Sam Bergerson