Te Akau Weekend Update

David writes:

Yesterday at the Magic Millions' sale I bought a Redoute's Choice colt out of Valadon for A$560,000.  The Te Akau team of Dr Doug Black, Jamie Richards and myself thought he was the pick of the colts in the sale.

This colt has a beautiful pedigree being out of a winning two year old Woodman mare who has already left three stakes' performers.  I thought this colt was a really mature, short-coupled type that is bound to make a two year old - in fact he could be a Golden Slipper colt.  His pedigree shows plenty of two year old performers.

Redoute's Choice is the sire of Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt and he is obviously becoming known as the "sire of top sires" - of course Burgundy is also by Redoute's Choice and we all know what a flying start he has made to his career!  There is huge interest in the sons of Redoute's Choice.

This classy colt himself has a stallion's pedigree which is the main reason we were determined to purchase him - a family filled with Group and stakes' winners such as Valourina (his grand-dam), Timbourina, Media and Cardinal Virtue.

Take a look at his photo and I think that you will agree he is an absolutely stunning example of equine excellence.

This Redoute's Choice colt was bought by me to be part of our 2017 Colt Syndicate - so he is the first colt for that syndicate and I will be buying three further colts at the Karaka Sale.  Shares in this syndicate are strictly limited and already over half have been snapped up.  This is a terrific opportunity and we are so proud that this colt is the first of the 2017 colt team!  He will be a wonderful addition to the Te Akau New Zealand stable.

And you can be involved with him, which is great news!

We finished up buying five yearlings - three fillies and two colts and they are selling really quickly so if you are keen on being involved, it would pay to email Karyn today - [email protected]

Today I am off to Trentham and Karyn to Ellerslie.  At Trentham we have Hall of Fame contesting the Group  1 Levin Classic where he will be ridden by Opie Bosson.  It is a very good field so we have our fingers crossed - it is certainly great having Opie aboard when it comes to Group 1's and we wish the team well.

At the other end of the spectrum Aquilo (the two year old half-brother to Champion 2YO Marky Mark), who I bought at the Karaka Premier Sale last year will make his debut.  This Snitzel colt is really promising and this journey south will undoubtedly be a key element of his progression.  We also have Sebrose back from Singapore and he will line up in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes as we follow an Auckland Cup path with him.

At Ellerslie our Group 1 winning 2YO Heroic Valour resumes en route to the $250,000 Listed Karaka Mile, joined in the same race by Foreigner - while promising 2YO Melody Belle, who is already a winner, is looking for further Ellerslie experience as she cements her Karaka Million attempt.

My full focus is now the Karaka Sale - and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this coming week we will spend all day on yearling inspections - I am really excited about the state of the bloodstock industry in Australia - there was plenty of positivity when I was at the Gold Coast sale and the good thing is that we are only $6000 on an aeroplane away from racing in those big races in Australia.

So although the state of our industry and prizemoney is disappointing we need to remember that it is so much cheaper to have a horse trained in New Zealand and if a horse is up to Group 1 level, for around $6000 we can be there, racing in all their $1 million plus races which is so exciting.

Good luck to all our owners today and go the tangerine!