Te Akau Monday Update

David writes:

I thought it was good news that we received from the Racing Industry Transition Authority (RITA) on Friday.

It announced that it will fund the three racing codes $139.6 million, without borrowings, which is on a par with was budgeted at the start of this current season. 

This means that level of stakes should hopefully be roughly the same as we currently have - if that is the case, it's very positive news, considering what we have been through as an industry and a country.

The notable comment from the media release was that none of this stake funding is being borrowed, so well done to RITA for getting us back on track so to speak. We also need to acknowledge our Minister For Racing, Winston Peters, for his understanding of our industry's importance and contribution to the general economy and for export earnings.

This coming weekend marks the start of racing in the Waikato for the first time since lockdown, with the Waikato Racing Club's Te Rapa racecourse staging 11 races.

If you work within the industry, you will understand the importance of supporting and attending these race meetings. 

From blacksmiths to vets, horse feed suppliers, float companies, racing clubs and even those contractors who work for the TAB - these are all businesses that make these events possible and, by attending, you are supporting them too. 

It is going to be a great day on Saturday, so make sure you come and support the Waikato Racing Club - the facilities are top class and it's always warm, especially important at this time of the year! It's a very cold day today in the Waikato, let me tell you.

Te Akau will have five or six horses racing, and if you are anything like me, the anticipation of returning to racing has been extremely high - I honestly can't wait for Saturday! 

Plans are also well underway for Te Akau's new racing season - kicking off on 1 August. We are just putting the finishing touches to our Australian Spring campaign plans and we are taking a really good team down to Riccarton for the New Zealand Cup Carnival.  

After spending a couple of days in Raglan celebrating Karyn's and my 16th wedding anniversary, which was last Friday, we came back to Te Akau Stud early yesterday afternoon and I took a good drive right around the farm. 

I have never seen the farm looking so good, especially for this time of the year! It is incredible how much grass we still have, and it goes to show just how kind the winter has been. We are due to start lambing in two weeks' time, which means that spring is only 63 days away! 

On Saturday, my daughter Sarah had a party for her little boy Benji and all five of my grandchildren were there to celebrate. I just love this photo of them all together - from left to right are Corey Ellis, Lucia-Rose Hayes, Ella and Ted Hewertson and Benji Moodie.

Over the weekend Corey also had his first game of football and I loved the photo his mother Lucy sent us. At just four years of age, Corey is not only a gifted rider who has won plenty of pony club ribbons, but who knows, he could even be a future All Black - go Corey - we are immensely proud you. 

Have a great week everyone and let us hope that we can get that magical 100th season win soon!  When we went into lockdown, our trainer, Jamie Richards, was stuck on 99 wins in New Zealand, which is an amazing feat.

To get 100 wins would be a massive thrill
so fingers crossed for this Saturday

We hope to see you there at Te Rapa!

Back