Spotlight on Our Stars

Te Akau is proud to throw the spotlight on another hugely valuable member of the Te Akau team .... Lena Jones ...

Te Akau stables' office manager Lena Jones was destined for a career in the racing industry, being the daughter of a horse trainer.  The middle child of three for Wayne and Liz Jones, from Hawera, in the Taranaki, Lena was surrounded by horses from a young age.

“Dad is an owner-trainer and I did pony club and event riding and I've got shares in five horses with the family.

“My older brother Kane works for New Zealand Bloodstock and sister Anna works in property management in Melbourne."

During her school holidays Lena did yearling preps for both Valachi Stud and Te Runga, before working for two seasons with mares and foals at Coolmore Australia, and one with Coolmore America, Kentucky.  She then worked as a stable hand for trainer Kelly Schweida in Brisbane, before coming home to take up a Racing Bureau position in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing offices at Petone, Wellington.

“I wanted to be a stud manager but ventured off and decided to get involved in the administrative and office side of things.

“Working for a year and a half at the Racing Bureau was a good starter for me and after coming to work for Kilmore Farm in Matamata I now work for Te Akau Racing and I love it.

“It's very professional, runs like clockwork even though it is a big operation and I'm learning lots from both Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards).

“David (Ellis) is a very kind and fair boss. He has the best interests of all the staff at heart and wants to help us get ahead. He is kind of strict at times with the staff but I know he is trying to help and his ethos flows down from the top,” she said.

Outside of the all-consuming racing industry, Lena has played squash since high school and competes in interclub and tournaments as a C Grade player.

Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “Lena is a young woman who has made a success of everything that she's done. She does a great job for the stable and we are all really enjoying having her in the team.  She's passionate, taletned and a real team player who does a fantastic job for us!"