High Achiever Lives Up To His Name

From one of the legendary thoroughbred families in New Zealand, High Achiever (3 g Pins - Thee Achiever, by O'Reilly) confirmed his ability with a debut win in the $10,000 Grahamstown Bar & Diner Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha.

Bred by the Dennis brothers (Tony, Joe, Martin and Ray Dennis) and owned by the Te Akau High Achievers Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), High Achiever was purchased by David Ellis for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Milan Park draft.

“I've been to the Dennis brother's farm in Southland,” Ellis said. “It's a beautiful property and very, very well farmed. They do everything very well with their horses and they've had huge success.

“I bought him from Tony Rider's Milan Park draft. He's an up and coming breeder in New Zealand, and starting to have terrific success with his horses. He gives Te Akau Racing a lot of support and has a couple of beautiful fillies in the stable. 

“Some of our long-term supporters are in this horse. People that have supported us all the way through, including John Elstob and his partner Denise Bassett, Glenn and Cathie Holmes, Viki Brinkman, Pay Dyer, Keith Boyd and my accountant Gilbert Southworth. Another owner is Dave Smith, from Dunstan Feeds.  He and I have been doing business now for 25 - 30 years. We're great mates and on the board together at the Waikato Racing Club.

“The horse has taken a bit of making and is nowhere near the finished article, but Jamie (Richards) has done a great job educating him and the owners' patience has been rewarded by what I thought was a pretty impressive win.”

Utilizing barrier three to settle handily on the inner, rider Michael McNab angled High Achiever out on straightening and he went on to win well after quickening to lead at the 200m.

“It was a good effort because he wanted to do a few things I didn't want him to do,” McNab said. “He's still learning and he got the job done well.”

In a competitive betting market, High Achiever returned $3.30 & $1.40 on the tote after running the 1200 metres in 1:10.6, last 600m in 34.1, on Dead4 footing. 

“It's great to see Michael McNab winning in the tangerine,” Ellis said. “He's riding a huge amount of work for us and going really well in every facet of his life. He's a great asset. Anna Jones strapped the horse and she's now working full-time for us. She's a top young lady with great horse skills and a great attitude to life. She's very reliable and an absolute pleasure to have in the team.”

From a great South Island family, including 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner The Jewel (O'Reilly), The Grin (Grosvenor) and The Diamond One (Tale of the Cat), his dam, Thee Achiever, won three times to 2100m, and while having the natural talent to win fresh over 1200 metres High Achiever appears destined to increase in trip. 

“It was a nice win by a progressive horse that's always shown a fair bit,” Richards said. “He trialled well as a two-year-old, when still immature, and although not overly big he was a first foal and typical of the stallion. 

“He's getting there now and if we take him along quietly he could develop into a nice horse. Michael (McNab) gave him a lovely ride. It worked out well after he drew wide at Hastings, to concentrate on this race after he trialled so well here three weeks ago, where he went to the line untested in fourth. 

“Well done too, to Shay and David who run the barn where he is stabled.”

One of the last yearlings to be syndicated in 2018, High Achiever provided MJ Fox with a win at her foray into ownership.

“I went out to see David and Karyn at the stud and had a choice of A or B, because that was all that was available,” she said. “So, those were my options as we sat there having a cup of tea. I liked him because he's by Pins. I'm a novice, really, and I'm very pleased.”

Milan Park is offering a half-sister by Pierro (Lonhro), Lot 344, at the upcoming Karaka Book 1 Sale.

High Achiever was strapped by Anna Jones. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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