Congratulations Charlie - A Flying Start

Charlie King (21), third son of Nick & Anne-Marie King who established Brighthill Farm in 1996, and current Te Akau team member, has gained placement in the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start which commences August in Ireland.

A recent graduate of Victoria University, Charlie is currently working for Te Akau Racing and, under the management of his brother Benji King he also works at Brighthill Farm.  In keeping with family ties, Benji also works for Te Akau.

In winning this scholarship, Charlie has acquired a position rare as hen's teeth.

The most recent posting of a NZ recruit, Todd Pollard graduated from the two-year course in 2018, becoming racing manager for Stephen Marsh before recently transferring to be assistant trainer with Annabel Neasham in Sydney.

“In three years I completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, with a double major in Economics and Finance, and minor in International Relations,” said King, while also finding time to continue playing rugby.

“I was in a University Old Boys reserve grade senior rugby team. The average age was about 30 and I was fortunate to have youthful fitness to get me through.”

“With Te Akau, I'm working from the Main Barn in the mornings, saddling at the tie-ups on the track, washing them down, swimming horses, and loading back on the truck,” King said. “In the afternoons, I come home and work on the stud for the rest of the day.

“In February, I started my application to Godolphin by sending my CV and introductory video on what strengths I could bring to the course, plus a video of tacking up a horse and riding.

“Following that, there was an interview via Zoom where I had to present to four other interviewees, as well as executive director Clodagh Kavanagh and managing director Joe Osborne. Then, a half hour interview after that, so the process went over four weeks.

“The course is funded, has 12 successful applicants, and we have just received our first outline of what takes place when we arrive mid-August in Ireland. Following a couple of months, we go to England, then Kentucky, in America, which will end the first year.

“Between each of the two years we do an externship where we are placed somewhere around the world, according to the recommendation that each person submits.

“The second year starts in Melbourne, then Dubai, and back to Ireland. All the postings are stationed in the epicentre of Godolphin studs in each country.

“I'm absolutely wrapt and to be the only Kiwi for a while is quite special, as there is usually quite a large Northern Hemisphere presence in the group. It's a massive opportunity and I think the programme will be the best thing for me. The exposure to every aspect of the industry will help make my mind up as to where I'd like to be involved the most and allow me to plan for the future.

“I can't think of a better way in two years of getting so much exposure and knowledge that will help me decide what I want to do in the thoroughbred industry.

“I was lucky to grow up on a stud farm and be around thoroughbreds as part of our life. We started going to races and sales from a young age and being aware of the industry.

“As I've got older, I've enjoyed working with stallions and also researching and getting to know pedigrees and mating crosses.

During his time at Te Akau, King has been privy to observing and working under the guise of champion trainer Jamie Richards.

“Before working there I knew Jamie's talents as a trainer, saw the success he'd had, with all the Karaka Million 2YO wins, and Group races across the board.

“I've now seen his talents not only as trainer, but his ability to manage a huge operation of both horses and staff. His attention to detail impresses me the most and I'm lucky to see it first-hand.

“It all makes sense to me in seeing him operate when it comes to his levels of success. He has plenty of horses, but he knows them all and it comes across in any conversation about a particular horse. He's known everything about any horse I've asked him about. He's gives a clear answer and definitely has his finger on the pulse of what's going on in his stable.

“Godolphin was impressed that I was working for Te Akau, which shows that they hold both Jamie Richards and Te Akau in high regard. Even though they're in Ireland, they know about the purchasing power of David Ellis and that Jamie has a fantastic record of training them all and the success that he's achieving. It shows Te Akau has a global reputation.

“I'm very thankful that Te Akau has given me the opportunity to start of my racing experience at the stables, before embarking on the course, and Jamie, Sam Bergerson (Te Akau stable foreman), and my brother Benji have all done a similar international course through the Sunline Scholarship. Both courses call for a pretty high level of academia and also thoroughbred knowledge.

“Benji has a similar role at Te Akau, but he's riding work in the mornings, while I'm doing groundwork, and then we work on the (Brighthill) stud farm for the rest of the day.

In addition to the King men's influence at Te Akau, Benji's partner Lena Jones is the stable manager and responsible for the outstanding level of owner communications and general stable administration.

“My other brother Harry was initially doing the hospitality at New Zealand Bloodstock, liaising with international trainers and booking their requirements during the sales in Auckland but now with what happened during Covid, he is working with Gavelhouse, where he helps with listing horses and any technical matters,” he said.

“Lena is extremely valuable and worth her weight in gold to Jamie and Te Akau. We're really proud of her and through Benji, we get to see how much work she does for the team.”

On the home front at Brighthill Farm, King has high hopes for young stallion Preferment.

“He's a son of Zabeel and his blood and that of his sire Sir Tristram is gold,” he said. “Obviously, Savabeel has shown what a son of Zabeel can do at stud and if Preferment can emulate that in part it will be great.

“David (Ellis) bought a really nice Preferment at the South Island, probably the nicest type in the sale. He's got himself a really nice horse.

“They're going to the right stables, including Chris Waller, who trained Preferment, and Dean Hawthorne bought him a yearling for $280,000. He bought from his first crop and came back and bought again, which is a huge sign for a stallion.”

In summary, King added:

“I've had an awesome upbringing. I'm super excited. A lot of things happen through luck and people giving me the opportunities and there are lot of things I'm really grateful for to get a foot in the door.

“Now it's time to make the most of it and the hard work begins when I'm on the Godolphin Flying Start programme. I'll be making the most of it, learn as much as I can, and take a few strides forward in my career in thoroughbreds.”