Te Akau Friday Update

David writes:

It's just incredible how many brand new owners have welcomed into Team Te Akau over the last few weeks.

Over 80 first time owners have purchased shares in our
horses, that is just remarkable news! We have also had huge re-investment from
our loyal existing owners.

What an absolute thrill it is for me to go around the farm each day to see your horses - the most beautiful line up of yearlings I personally have ever seen.

To everyone who has invested with us and in our great industry, I would like to congratulate and thank every one of you personally. We warmly welcome you and Karyn and I look forward to sharing the 'Tangerine Experience' with you all.

We only have several shares now available in five horses. In saying that, it certainly isn't too late to join our team - I am just a phone call away on 021 925 151 or email Karyn - [email protected]

One horse that still has shares available is a colt by Brazen Beau, out of More Bubbles.

We really liked this colt - he's out of a mare by Sebring, who was a leading sire and huge loss to the Australian breeding industry and he has already left a stakes' winner as young a broodmare sire.

His grand-dam is by Commands (Danehill), the sire of our Horse of the Year Melody Belle and is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Politeness (Street Sense).

He's a beautifully put together, strong colt and we really like the style that he has. He looks the type to come fairly early - he has that precocity - and he could be a Karaka Million type of horse for sure.

Brazen Beau is an exciting young sire in Australia, by their Champion Sire I Am Invincible, and the big priced horses by him (up to $550,000) are running in Australia.

Our colt's vendor Ross MacKay (Leanach Lodge) said: “He's a lovely horse that did a really good job through the preparation. He tried during his prep and enjoys his work and a feed. He's a got nice bit of Australian speed influence and could be the type of horse to continue Te Akau's dominance in the Karaka Million.

“I think he's a neat horse and personally I was a bit disappointed that he didn't make more. But, he has gone to nice home and we wish the owners all the best of luck.”

A 10% share is only $9,850 +GST and a 5% share only $$4,925 +GST (including sale expenses at cost and full veterinary and
x-ray examination).

Just remember, the last few horses to sell each year have amazingly the best record. It's really quite incredible how well they do, for example: the third to last horse to sell in 2019 was Cool Aza Beel, who is the favourite for the Group 3 Matamata Slipper tomorrow tomorrow, and at his last start won the Karaka Million in January.

The last horse to sell two years before that was Avantage who is the favourite for the Group 1 Haunui Farm WFA tomorrow - she also won the Karaka 2YO Million, the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce, was Champion 2YO of her year and then won Group 3 races on both sides of the Tasman as a three year old. She's been super again this season, winning the Group 1 Telegraph Hcp in January before flying home for fourth behind Te Akau Shark in the Group 1 Waikato Sprint.

It is a very busy time on the farm, as we have begun breaking our horses in. Our first yearlings went into the stable this morning and our trainer, Jamie Richards, was just thrilled with how they all arrived. 

Te Akau Stud's Equine Manager, Enzo Di Leoni, is the best horse breaker I have ever been involved with. He has been working here for many years now and does such a great job. He is brilliant with horses and is just pure class with how he begins our horses' early education. I am looking forward to seeing how all our yearlings progress over the next few months and we will be sure to keep you updated as soon as your yearling begins its early education.

One thing that has really amazed me recently is how well the horses are continuing to thrive during these dry conditions. They really love the heat and the fine weather. Every day, my yearlings are given two good feeds of Dunstan, a specially prepared feed of oats, barley, maize, lucerne, vitamins and all the minerals they need.

We are also very lucky that we have five really good
deep-water bores on the farm, so all our stock have fantastic access to
excellent quality water. There is no doubt that this is the worst drought we
have had at Te Akau for nearly 40 years. However, our sheep and cattle still
have plenty of feed to still eat. No expense is spared to when it comes to the
welfare of our animals.

While we are still on the topic of farming, one thing that
really annoys me is the unbalanced reporting of meat prices. Just the other
night it was mentioned on the 6pm news how beef and lamb prices have increased
so much for the average consumer. Well, let me tell you this - the price the
farmer receives has decreased by 20% since November 2019. All sides of the story
need to be covered!

Tomorrow we have runners in Group races in Melbourne and at Otaki and Matamata. Best of luck to all our owners and ...

GO THE TANGERINE!!! 

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