"Te Akau Lockdown Love"

Welcome to Day 10 of our new feature - as our world around us changes indelibly, we want to bring some smiles and sunshine every day - yes a small distraction but it does everyone good to be able to smile when times are tough.

We have always thought that, just like people, a horse is born with their own unique personality, their character, quirks and traits. Just like people, our horses need love and care - to be nurtured and encouraged to bring out the very best in them.

That love and care and guidance - as with any child - gives them the confidence and environment in which to flourish. Some are shy and some are outrageously outgoing. Some are that reserved child that needs coaxing out of their shell, others like the terror toddler everyone dreads!

Horses are no different - some are laid back, some worry. Some are hilarious and playful, others more thoughtful. Most are gentle souls, keen to please and you will often hear that a horse 'has a kind eye'.

Well, of course they have two eyes but it's a lovely saying - probably reflecting the old adage that eyes are the windows to the soul. A horse with a kind eye is one that wants to work with you, please you, have a friendship with you. One horse with a kind eye that immediately springs to mind is Melody Belle, hers are brimming with warmth and gentleness.

Our Xtravagant - Idol colt is another that has a kind eye - and it is him that we introduce you to today.

This colt with his rich, dark coat was purchased by David on the Gold Coast and reminds us SO much of his dad Xtravagant who David also purchased and we trained to win twice at Group 1 level - including a demolition job of some 8.5 lengths in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas.

We have nicknamed this colt "Cowell" - yes after Simon Cowell, who owns many TV shows including American Idol.

Cowell is a dreamy boy - blessed with good looks and that kind eye. He is also a real athlete with rippling muscles under that cover! He is taking to his education like a duck to water and is just a total professional. He's curious and kind, the type you just want to give a big hug.

We were rapt to secure three Xtravagant yearlings at the Magic Millions' Sale - we think he is an exciting young sire who is a real chance to deliver on his promise.

It's so surprising to us that there are still final shares in Cowell but Karyn is quietly pleased as she just loves him and would be proud to race him.

We are sure he is ready to become our next "last to sell" success story - like Group 1 winners Avantage, Sword of Osman, Cool Aza Beel - all among the very last to sell in their year .... Cowell - your stage is set!

Our Xtravagant - Idol is an incredibly strong colt and such a great example of both his sire (Xtravagant) and dam-sire (Fastnet Rock). He's got the richness in colour that Xtravagant got from his sire Pentire, and the strength and substance that Fastnet Rock puts into his stock is almost unmatched by any other sire in Australasia.

A colt from the first crop by Xtravagant (Pentire), trained by Te Akau to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) in breathtaking fashion by eight and a half lengths. He ran the mile in a staggering 1:33.59, last 600m in 33.04, to establish a new race record and became the fifth of six 2000 Guineas winners for Te Akau. He now stands at Newhaven Park, N.S.W., in Australia.

Owned by the 2014 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate, Xtravagant was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $375,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud.

“He was rated one of the nicest colts ever produced for sale by Rich Hill and after winning a great stallion producing race (2000 Guineas) he now stands in Australia,” Ellis said.

“As I've said before, there are a lot of good judges that are really taken by the quality and athleticism of the first crop yearlings by Xtravagant. He's been very well mated and I'm thrilled to be able to buy some of them.”

The colt is the first foal from a mare that won over 1500 metres in Australia.

“We've had enormous success with first foals. Obviously, Melody Belle has been well documented, but also Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) who recently finished second in the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m), Awareness (Redoute's Choice), who won in December, Group One winners Hall of Fame (Savabeel) and Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), Zambezi Warrior (Pentire), and plenty more.” 

#loveinthelockdown

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