Te Akau Caliburn Wins on NZ Soil

First equal was the upshot for Te Akau (5 h Camelot - Enchanted Evening, by High Chaparral) in the $30,000 Aranui Harvesters Rating 82 1550 metres on 7 February at Awapuni, after the Judge was unable to separate he and race favourite Lady Rudolph (Rip Van Winkle).

A gorgeous horse, bought privately by Te Akau principal David Ellis in Europe, Te Akau Caliburn had been good through the line when resuming in the Rating 82 1400 metres on 24 January at Te Aroha, and ridden more positively on this occasion by Taiki Yanagida. Still carrying top weight (60.5kgs), despite the benefit of a two-kilo apprentice claim, Te Akau Caliburn travelled comfortably on the hindquarters of the leader, gaining the upper hand before being joined on the line. 

Owned by the Te Akau 2019 European Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Caliburn (who gained the prefix after being purchased as there was already a Camelot gelding named Caliburn registered in Australia) was bought as a lightly raced staying prospect in the middle of last year. The winner of two races, most recently over 2400 metres in June at Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England, he also registered a second and two thirds from nine starts.

Quick on the uptake, being an entire son of European champion racehorse and leading sire Camelot (Montjeu), from a mare by sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells), Te Akau Caliburn was snapped up by his owners in two hours. 

“I thought he showed a bit of ticker, especially having to give Lady Rudolph six and a half kilos, that's a stone, and a lot of weight,” Ellis said. “Jamie (Richards) and the team have done a really good job with him to win second-up and it looked a nice race.

“Earlier this year, Karyn and I decided to buy a European Stayer and approached two of the best judges in the world, especially of European form, bloodstock agents Hubie de Burgh and Paul Moroney. Paul and I had many conversations and on his recommendation we purchased Caliburn from Andrew Balding's Newmarket stable.” 

At the time of purchase, Moroney said: “Caliburn fills the eye, from his intelligent quality head to his highly athletic balanced body.  He has a real strut to him, with a beautiful fluid stride and a whole lot of presence.”

Trainer Jamie Richards took only one horse to the meeting, with the win timely for a proposed start in the $50,000 Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) on 22 February at Matamata, a meeting that will also see recent $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winning colt Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel) line up for Te Akau in the $70,000 Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 2, 1200m). 

“I was really stoked with that winning performance,” Richards said. “We believe he's got a bright future over ground. I was a little bit surprised that he was forward enough to win over a mile, but Taiki Yanagida gave him a lovely ride. 

“I had a look at the speed in the race beforehand and there didn't appear to be a lot, so I said for him to remain open-minded and possibly look to go forward. His first-up run at Te Aroha was quite strong, where he got back and found the line, and I liked the way he got up in behind them pretty quickly after the post. 

“He's a high-class horse that David (Ellis) paid a bit for and we've got a great syndicate of owners in him. Following the Kaimai Stakes, we're planning the Auckland Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) on 7 March at Ellerslie. It was good job done by the colt barn to have him present in such good order, especially after a break. He's not the most straightforward horse, but we're happy with the way he's going and certainly looking forward to the next couple of months with him.”

On the job and busy post the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka, Ellis reported: “I'm happy to say that the yearlings are selling at record speed, but we've still got shares in some beautiful horses.

“We've still got available three beautiful Savabeel fillies, just outstanding fillies. Also, a share in a nice I Am Invincible filly from the Gold Coast, and shares in some terrific horses are still available. People just need to get in touch and we're only too happy to discuss options with them.”

Te Akau Caliburn was strapped by Craig Thornton. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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