Te Akau Monday Update

David writes:

What a truly remarkable day it was for Te Akau Racing on Saturday. To win Group 1 races in succession is quite a phenomenal achievement.

Our Te Akau New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards has now won 16 Group/Listed races this season, including six Group 1's. Collectively, Jamie has won 57 black type races - 54 in New Zealand (not to mention that there are 19 Group 1 wins included in that total) as well as a Group 1, a Group 2 and a Listed stakes' winner in Australia. For a man who is only 29, that is a fantastic record don't you think!?

Gee, I got a huge thrill out of seeing our stable jockey Opie Bosson win two Group 1 races on Saturday. I loved the way he waited and waited before he really went for it with Yourdeel, while Opie remains unbeaten on Melody Belle.

After the results from the weekend, it has left me asking the question if any trainer in New Zealand has ever won back to back Group 1 races, or even two Group 1 races in one day? I very much doubt it!

Premierships are based on performances during each racing season (August 1st - July 31st).

		Wins	2nds	3rds	Stakes	Starts	G & L	SR
1	Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman	76	66	57	$2,799,892	482	18	6.34
2	Jamie Richards	76	64	41	$3,381,587	360	16	4.74
3	Stephen Marsh	63	72	51	$2,079,685	473	5	7.51
4	Michael & Matthew Pitman	40	41	43	$1,073,596	379	3	9.48
5	Team Rogerson	39	51	52	$1,047,669	505	2	12.95
6	Lisa Latta	36	37	33	$1,262,819	341	3	9.47
7	Tony Pike	35	52	23	$1,117,782	303	7	8.66
8	John & Karen Parsons	30	23	28	$581,847	243	1	8.1
9	Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley	28	18	24	$736,997	229	2	8.18
10	Roger James & Robert Wellwood	27	16	18	$552,060	143	2	5.3
11	Kevin Myers	26	31	37	$501,058	307	0	11.81
12	Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott	25	12	26	$457,555	230	0	9.2
13	Fraser Auret	24	17	11	$327,495	144	0	6
14	Allan Sharrock	22	22	18	$409,265	144	0	6.55
15	Graham Richardson & Gavin Parker	21	18	24	$620,125	187	2	8.9

We had also started the weekend in fine fashion, with our Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker back in the winner's circle on Friday night, and again on Sunday (for the raffles' Racing team). Mark now leads the Trainers' Premiership in Singapore. Another outstanding effort, well done Mark!

Remember, these results aren't just a fluke. In my opinion, we have the best quality staff in all our stables - Singapore, Matamata and here at Te Akau Stud. Our results are an outstanding testimony to their hard work and absolute dedication to the horses. To every single member of our team - well done.

This is also a great time to congratulate and thank our vet practice, Waikato Equine. Dr Douglas Black, Dr Ronan Costello and their whole team who do an amazing job for us, and our blacksmith, Gareth Allis, is also a very important part of our incredible team. Thank you everyone, it has been an amazing week! 

It was so disappointing for everybody when the rain came on Saturday morning at Ellerslie. We haven't yet learnt how to control the weather for these events - unfortunately!!! However, in the afternoon the sun arrived and we all were able to thoroughly enjoy the rest of the day.

I must say, the rain was a welcome sight out here at farm, and we received a total of 25mls at Te Akau Stud. We would love to receive more rain on any other day this week except for Friday.

This Friday, our youngest daughter Julia-Rose, is marrying her love, Hamish Hayes, in a big marquee in our front paddock. We are full steam ahead in wedding preparations. We are also very lucky to have our daughter, Lydia and her fiancé, Jamie Roseby, arrive home from London last week. It was incredibly special to have all four join us at Ellerslie on Saturday, and now Lydia and Jamie are out here at the farm, helping us get ready for Lydia's younger sister's wedding.

While we do have a big focus on wedding preparations, as you would understand, we are now also busy breaking in our yearlings. What a magnificent sight it is seeing them being ridden around the farm.

It still isn't too late to be involved with these spectacular young horses. The yearling we still have shares in that we would like to showcase this week is Lot 355. An Iffraaj colt out of Rosetti Bay, this stunning colt really looks the deal. Iffraaj is a really good sire - don't forget, Melody Belle is out of an Iffraaj mare. This colt's mother is a top mare by Pins called Rosetti Bay. She won eight races and is proving to be an incredible broodmare.

I have told my wife, Karyn, to take a share in this colt, and the team here at the stud who are breaking him in just love him. If you wish to be part of this really exciting colt, do not hesitate and give me a call today on 021 925 151. (

A very warm welcome to our new owners who have also joined us since the sale. We now have over 100 new owners who have invested with us this year, and our ever-loyal existing owners have shown plenty of faith and confidence with their re-investment. I would like to wish all our owners, existing and new, the very best of luck with their magnificent yearlings that they have chosen. 

The stock movements out here on the farm have gradually slowed down. Nearly every day over the last two months, we have sent a unit of cattle to Greenlea Premier Meats. When I say unit, that is 35 head of stock taken out by a truck and trailer. Even though it has been dry, we have been thrilled with the way our cattle have killed out. We now have no more cattle to send off until June.

We have another big week ahead with our racing team. 

Today, Paul Richards leaves for Sydney with Probabeel - now this is an exciting time for this smart Karaka Million winning filly. Be sure to keep an eye out for updates on this filly in the very near future.

We also have the Avondale trials tomorrow, Matamata races on Wednesday. Te Aroha on Friday (and a wedding - Ed) and this Saturday is Group 1 Oaks Day at Trentham. We have two really good chances in this race with Savyy Yong Blonk and Shezathinka.

Another action packed week, and I wouldn't have it any other
way.

Have a great week everyone.

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