Cheers to the Tangerine Army: Out Of The Blue Makes His Debut
25 September, 2025
Anticipation is running high this weekend as our boy Out Of The Blue (2 g Tivaci - Cornflower Blue, by Savabeel) prepares to make his debut in the $25,000 Maiden 2YO 800 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.
Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM at the 2025 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, Out Of The Blue hails from a family close to Te Akau’s heart. We trained his stakes' winning dam, Savabeel mare Cornflower Blue. She won the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), and recorded multiple Group and Listed placings, including a third in the prestigious Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m).
His sire, Tivaci (High Chaparral), adds further depth to his pedigree. Tivaci captured the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) in Sydney before retiring to Waikato Stud in 2017.
Out Of The Blue is no ordinary runner - he is the very first horse for Te Akau’s Tangerine Army Syndicate.
Formed by Te Akau Marketing Manager Julia-Rose Hayes, the syndicate was inspired by her own experiences syndicating horses such as Group 1 Karaka Million winner On The Bubbles and the eight-time winner Wild Night. Along the way, she also met lifelong friends through the process, which sparked the idea to create an initiative that opened the door for more people to share in the thrill.
Bringing together family, friends, and new owners, the partnership symbolises an exciting new chapter in making racehorse ownership more accessible. The Tangerine Army is especially designed to encourage young people to experience their first taste of ownership and racing excitement - a collective effort to make the sport more inclusive, social, and fun.
After just one trial, Out Of The Blue has already shown promise. Ridden by George Rooke over 600 metres at Waipā on 26 August, he settled nicely with cover and closed off strongly for third on a Soft5 track - the same rating currently posted for Riccarton.
Adding to the occasion for Saturday, he has drawn barrier one and will be ridden by Jasmine Fawcett, a former Te Akau apprentice jockey who has notched up 21 wins at Riccarton, and is enjoying good success this season, currently lying sixth on the Jockeys' Premiership.
Ahead of the debut, syndicate member Ollie Bovaird shared his thoughts in a Q&A:
1. What drew you to join the Tangerine Army and get involved in ownership?
“My dad has always been a big fan of racing and has owned horses with Te Akau for a number of years. I’ve also fallen in love with the sport and thought I might as well jump on board with ownership. I’ve seen how professional and knowledgeable the team at Te Akau has been with Dad's previous horses. All the content and videos from the moment the horse enters the stable to the post-race feedback really makes you feel like part of the team. With the success Te Akau has had in the Karaka Millions, there was no other stable I was going to put my money with!”
2. How does it feel to be part of a group of owners all sharing the same excitement?
“It makes the whole journey that much better. I’ve got my wife Lucy, Dad, and three other mates involved in Out Of The Blue, so there’s plenty of banter between us, and adding in the wider group of owners just builds on that. Sharing the build-up, the nerves, and the celebrations together makes the experience far more exciting than doing it on your own. It’ll be awesome to have everyone together, trackside - and even better if it’s on the 26th of January at the Big E for Karaka Millions night!”
3. What are you most looking forward to about seeing your horse step out on raceday?
“Hitting the line first!!”
4. What does it mean to you personally being a part of the Tangerine Army?
“It’s pretty special to be part of the first horse in the Tangerine Army syndicate. Going off Te Akau’s history and success, it’ll be one hell of a ride. It’ll make the race day experience even better!”
For Out Of The Blue and his large, enthusiastic ownership group, Saturday marks just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey. With a proven pedigree, an encouraging trial under his belt, and the backing of the Tangerine Army, his debut is set to be a special moment - one that embodies the thrill of racehorse ownership and the future of it.
