Te Akau Festive Friday Update
28 December, 2018
David writes:
Karyn and I had a lovely Christmas Day at Raglan where we were joined by Julia-Rose and her fiance Hamish and their beautiful daughter Lucia-Rose, as well as Hamish's mother Catherine.
Even though she is only nine and a half months old, Lucia-Rose is already taking a few steps and it certainly won't be long until she is walking confidently.
We had a great day at Ellerslie for the Boxing Day races, despite the fact we had to scratch Sword of Osman from the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap due to the Heavy10 track. The Auckland Racing Club has a really top-notch CEO in Paul Wilcox and it was so much fun to be part of a top-class day of racing. Even the weather came to the party in the afternoon. We only had two runners with 'the Sword' not lining up, and we had to settle for a meritorious second and a fifth placing. However the very next day, Jamie trained his 50th winner for the season!
What an amazing effort by Jamie and our New Zealand team. It makes us just so proud to see what results Jamie is achieving in his first season training solo! Te Akau is not the largest stable in New Zealand and for us, placing our horses intelligently is the priority. Looking at Jamie's strike rate of 4.6 - that underlines the strategy is a very good one. In fact almost 50% of our starters have paid a dividend (and won stakes for their owners).
On New Year's Day at Ellerslie we have runners in three Group races - the Group 1 Railway (Melody Belle), the Group 2 Royal Stakes (Luminous) and the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (Aotea Lad).
Melody Belle, who I purchased from Karaka, is the favourite for the Group 1 Railway. Already a dual Group 1 and Group 2 winner from just three starts this campaign, she has drawn 15 of the 16 runners which of course isn't ideal but that's racing. Luminous is a pure white filly that I purchased from the Ready to Run Sale last year and she looks ready for the 2000m of the Royal Stakes, despite being a maiden runner. Aotea Lad is a Savabeel gelding I purchased from Karaka in January and he of course won the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes on debut earlier this month at Trentham, and is Karaka Million bound.
New Zealand Trainers' Premiership 28.12.18 - based on performances during each racing season (August 1st - July 31st).
| Wins | 2nds | 3rds | Stakes | Starts | G & L | SR | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Richards | 50 | 39 | 23 | $1,388,117 | 230 | 9 | 4.6 |
| 2 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 49 | 41 | 35 | $1,750,382 | 311 | 13 | 6.35 |
| 3 | Stephen Marsh | 43 | 45 | 30 | $901,855 | 316 | 3 | 7.35 |
| 4 | Team Rogerson | 23 | 33 | 27 | $578,999 | 308 | 2 | 13.39 |
| 5 | Lisa Latta | 23 | 17 | 21 | $674,232 | 210 | 2 | 9.13 |
| 6 | Tony Pike | 22 | 32 | 17 | $574,437 | 179 | 4 | 8.14 |
| 7 | Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley | 22 | 14 | 22 | $566,617 | 186 | 2 | 8.45 |
| 8 | Kevin Myers | 18 | 18 | 27 | $366,333 | 214 | 0 | 11.89 |
| 9 | Fraser Auret | 18 | 9 | 8 | $240,145 | 98 | 0 | 5.44 |
| 10 | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | 17 | 9 | 17 | $279,855 | 137 | 0 | 8.06 |
When I was at the Boxing Day races, I made sure I went and had a drink with my great friend, Hall of Fame trainer Colin Jillings.
Colin has taught me more about life than anyone I know and he also has taught me so much about the world of racing. He trained a New Zealand Derby winner in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's - he was an absolute master at setting a horse for a race - and winning might I add!
I would love a horse as tough as Colin is. He had an accident about six weeks ago and spent a month in hospital but he was determined to go to Ellerslie on Boxing Day as he always does - he hasn't missed that meeting for 70 years!! A truly wonderful New Zealander - it was very special to catch up with Colin and his wife Alison.
In the lead up to Christmas, we had the highly contested local polo at the local field. Te Akau Racing is the sponsor of the local polo team - Waimai (main picture). Last week at the tournament, we saw Tommy Wilson and his 12 year old son Jay compete together in our Waimai team. Jay is a beautiful rider, such a pleasure to watch and is going to be a superstar on the polo field in the future. He is also a very good rugby player so it was great to see our team defend its title and WIN again on the Saturday before Christmas.
As you will know, we have had an abundance of rain and while that hasn't been ideal for racing, it has been amazing for the farm. I have never seen so much good quality grass at this time of the year and all the stock is just thriving.
I will have a couple of more days here at the farm before spending New Year's Eve in Raglan and then back to Ellerslie on New Year's Day - then it is right back in to my yearling inspections as the sale countdown is well and truly on.
Karyn and I wish to take this opportunity of wishing you all a Happy New Year!! Thank you especially too, to all of our hard working New Zealand and Singapore stable and stud farm teams for their incredible commitment - 2018 has been an outstanding year for Te Akau - thank you to our owners and our supporters, our riders and our amazing crew!
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