Te Akau Friday Update

David writes:

Last night I arrived home from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale where I bought three yearlings - Lot 1559 a Fastnet Rock filly out of Dragon's Tail $300,000; Lot 1620 an Oratorio filly out of Governing Spirit which cost $8000, and Lot 1868 an O'Reilly colt out of the More Than Ready mare Suream for $40,000.

So two fillies and a colt and they will be home at Te Akau Stud next Wednesday.

Overall the sale could only be described as a great success - it presented huge overs for weanlings and broodmares however there was some good buying at the yearling sales. I was thrilled with the yearlings that we bought and all have been fully syndicated already.

This brings the number of yearlings we have bought and fully sold and syndicated this year to 48.

I was particularly thrilled to secure the Fastnet Rock filly as I really wanted to buy her at Karaka.  She was right at the end of the sale and I had already bought a huge number of  horses, I didn't have an owner for her and was forced to leave her.  However I have always had an uncomfortable feeling in my mind about not buying her and have watched the replay of her in the Karaka ring a number of times.  Now we have her and I am thrilled for her news owners and for Jason who will train her.

This morning is all go (everyone knows he is home - Ed!) as we have six race horses returning to the stable after a good spell.  It is really noticeable this year just how well the horses have done in the spelling paddocks because it has been such a beautiful, mild, even warm autumn/early winter and the grass has more quality than usual.  Our horses look a real picture.

This morning Luke Copland and I went around the whole property and I was thrilled with the way all the horses and stock looked.  Today will be one where we will be in the office on the phone all day and tomorrow we have Te Rapa races and my second youngest daughter Lydia is coming to stay as is our youngest Julia-Rose and her partner Hamish.  Lydia is home from London until the end of June and we will of course be catching the All Blacks and hoping like hell that they give the English team a decent caning!

GO THE ALL BLACKS!