Te Akau Friday Update

David writes:

What a marvellous week it has been for all farmers in the North Island.  Most of Hawke's Bay has had 100mls of rain while here at Te Akau Stud, we have had 40mls to back up on the 46mls we had last week.  So smiles all around from the team here at the farm!

We have had a busy and really exciting week in many ways - on Wednesday I went and had my finals post-op tests with my heart specialist who said my operation had been a huge success and he was really thrilled.

I have also been busy looking at the passed in lots from the Ready to Run Sale and this week I bought a really nice staying type for a first time Te Akau owner.  He is a Keeper colt (pictured below) out of the mare La Tebaldi and he is a half brother to French Lady who ran second in the Group 1 AJC Oaks.  This colt has a lovely staying pedigree.  Like all of our Ready to Run purchases, he will spell for three weeks and then we will commence some further education with them.

It gave me a big thrill to see all eight horses we purchased at the Ready to Run Sale sell within 24 hours.  It is such a positive show of support from our owners which we appreciate.

On 9 December I celebrate my 60th birthday so this Sunday Karyn and I are taking all of our children and their partners out for a special dinner while the following Sunday I am having a lunch with a few mates.

I am really looking forward to the Christmas races at Ellerslie - Te Akau will have some really good chance in the 3YO races in particular.