Te Akau Midweek Update

David writes:

I am writing today from the Gold Coast where I am attending the Magic Millions' yearling sale.  This sale has been a very successful place of purchase for Te Akau, as I bought Group 1 winners Tell A Tale, Princess Coup and Costa Viva from this sale - the latter two also both being named NZB Filly of the Year in their respective 3YO seasons.

Princess Coup of course still holds the record for the most domestic stakes won in New Zealand by any horse - just over $4 million.  I purchased her for A$260,000 and when she was retired and sold as a broodmare, she fetched A$3 million - a Magic Millions' record at that time.

I'd have to say that the weather is a bit milder than at home where Karyn tells me we have had over 50mls of rain and it is still raining - but the farm looks just fantastic!  I always feel sorry for the team when it is dark and wet and cold first thing in the mornings - gee they are dedicated to their work and our horses.  They never complain and always turn up with a smile on their faces - Enzo, Luke, Toni, Dean, Chloe and all the farm crew - they are true heroes!

We are breaking in the last of our yearlings now, and what a job our team has done here - superb - gosh I am excited about the new season and the fire-power we will have in the stable.

There have been some ripper frosts lately before I left but nothing like down south - our owner Alan sent through the above picture at his property - now that is a REAL frost!  As Karyn keeps reminding me (she was born in Christchurch) - they breed them tough in the South!!

Speaking of breaking in - we have only 10% now available in our ripper of a Proisir filly that I bought from the South Island Sale - that share is only $4,600 plus GST and what a head turner she is - she attracts attention wherever she goes.  A really flashy girl!  One of her owners, and a new Te Akau owner too, Alan (another Alan!) came from Christchurch to visit her and sent us this photo - the team has nick-named her Claudia, apparently after the blonde supermodel Claudia Schiffer and gosh is she a stand out - she broke in superbly so we cannot wait to see her next steps.

So if you want that final 10% or 5% - let Karyn know today as she is certainly one to be involved with!

Speaking of fillies I did purchase a filly at the Gold Cost yesterday - Lot 1759 an Ocean Park filly out of a half sister to Group 3 winner Von Tunzelman and Group 2 winner Rios.  A gorgeous brown filly she was terrific buying at just A$62,500 and she has been sold already!

I need to get out to the sale now - as I have my eye on another horse - and tomorrow Jamie Richards and I will head to see our recent purchase Augustus who will take his place in the A$600,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby on Saturday - his first outing in the tangerine.  I bought him for A$210,000 last week in an on-line sale and he proved hugely popular and sold almost immediately.  He is a well bred Snitzel gelding and has won three of his 11 starts already.  While he will contest the Group 1 on Saturday, and possibly Spring racing in Melbourne, he was bought to go to Mark Walker at our Kranji stable where he will be aimed for the 2019 Group 1 Singapore Derby, a race there for four year olds.  Sydney Premiership leading jockey Brenton Avdulla will ride him on Saturday.  A good draw is important at Doomben so we are looking forward to seeing what alley he comes up with today.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - TODAY IS ROBYN BREGMEN'S BIRTHDAY - she is our superstar Administration Manager - have a great day today - enjoy your lunch with Karyn!!

It will be a case of - GO THE TANGERINE IN BRISBANE!