Te Akau Friday Update

David writes:

The big news here at Te Akau this week is that our stable jockey Opie Bosson is very close to breaking the all-time record of Group 1 wins.

The fact that Opie has spent so much time on the side-lines through weight issues makes his achievement quite remarkable.

I can think of at least 10 Group 1 wins he has missed out on for Te Akau by not being able to make the weight.

The record is currently held by another champion jockey - Lance O'Sullivan. Lance, who has since retired his silks and is now doing very well as a trainer, rode many winners in the 'Te Akau Tangerine'. In fact, his last two Group 1 victories were both in the 'Tangerine' with Maroofity, winning the Group One Sistema/Sires' Produce double. Maroofity or 'Rufus' as we knew him went on to be named Champion 2YO of his year.

In other news - TV One heard about the possible record Opie may break and travelled out to the farm this morning to catch up with him as he trained with me ahead of Saturday's race. No pressure now, Opie! It was really great to catch up with the very good sports' reporter Guy Herveldt and his cameraman Owen - you can catch the story in the TV One news' hour tonight between 6pm and 7pm.

Today has been the start of what is hopefully more consistent rain out here on the farm. We really do need at least a week of steady rain fall, as the Waikato is now in a drought. But as I have said before, our stock are all in great condition, especially the horses - they are looking amazing.

The weather is however a bit of a conundrum for my family as our youngest daughter Julia-Rose, who most of our owners know, will marry her fiance Hamish here on the farm in exactly one week! They want it fine of course so everyone keep your fingers crossed!

The shares in our Karaka yearlings have never sold so quickly, and this year has seen over 90 first time owners join team Te Akau, which is just amazing and such a privilege. We have also had huge re-investment from our existing owners - you are so loyal - thank you!

It's a huge job to sell shares in 43 yearlings but they are really flying out the door faster than ever before.

And I know each year I say the same story, but it truly is quite freakish how good the last horses to sell become. In a Twinkling, Avantage and Sword of Osman were the last to sell and look at how far they have come.

Speaking of which, take a look at this beautifully bred colt. He has a great pedigree and I thought he was incredibly good buying. At the sales I purchased our yearlings from 19 farms, and Lot 355 is by Iffraaj out of Rosetti Bay.

He's a belter of a colt, a real Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas type if I ever saw one - and by the same sire as our mighty Gingernuts of course. This colt's dam was a super race mare, winning the Group 3 Stoney Bridge Stakes at Hastings and posting six other stakes' placings. He is the half brother to Listed Tauranga Classic winner Queen's Rose so it's a very successful family.

Do you want Jamie Richards to train your colt and have Opie Bosson ride him for you? We still have 10% and 5% shares available in this magnificent colt - a 10% share is $17,280 +GST (incl. sale expenses at cost and full veterinary/xray examination). NOTE - we are advertising him nationwide this weekend so those shares won't last - ring me now to save the disappointment of missing out or email Karyn asap - [email protected]

Here at Te Akau, we pride ourselves on making all our owners
feel welcomed, and Karyn and myself thoroughly enjoy communicating directly
with you. If you have any queries, feel free to call me on 021 925 151.

We are really looking forward to seeing you at Ellerslie tomorrow. Good luck to all our owners and ...

GO THE TANGERINE!!!   

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