Te Akau Monday Update
Date: 3 Aug 2020
David writes:
Yesterday was one of those very special days at Te Akau Stud, where everything that happened was just such a thrill.
We started the day by having a big celebration lunch for our New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards who has won the New Zealand Trainers' Premiership for the 2019/2020 season. This included 11 Group 1 wins, of those three in Australia - one in Melbourne and two in Sydney.
What a stellar season it has been and it wouldn't have been made possible without the support and dedication that has been invested from our incredible teams at both our Matamata stable and Te Akau Stud.
Our celebrations didn't stop there, as later in the morning we sold our final share in the last Karaka Sales' yearling - and welcomed a break new owner from Wellington. All our yearlings are now 100 percent sold!
If previous years are anything to go by, the success that the last horse to sell has had, is just incredible.
Previous yearlings who have been the last to sell need no introduction. Last season, Cool Aza Beel was the last to sell and he went on to win the 2020 Karaka Million and the Group 1 Sistema Stakes.
Avantage was also the last to sell in her year - she won the 2018 Karaka Million and the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes that season - and was crowned Champion 2YO. This season just concluded, she won Group 1 races at 1200m, 1600m and 2000m. That means she has won Group 1 races over 1200, 1400, 1600m and 2000m in her career.
I am predicting that this year will be no exception. The Savabeel filly who was the last to sell this year is an absolute stand-out.
Later on Sunday afternoon, we sat down to watch the Singapore races as our Singapore trainer Mark Walker had a large team engaged. It was just brilliant to see Mark win the first four races in a row. He then went on to win a further race later in the day, coming away with a total tally of five wins - this is a remarkable achievement.
After winning the Trainers' Premiership in Singapore last year, these wins have put Mark back at the top of the leader board for this season.
It is a stunningly beautiful winter's day here at Te Akau Stud - what a great way to start a Monday. We don't have long to go now until Spring finally arrives and we are really looking forward to having our first of runners of the new season at Te Rapa this weekend.
Speaking of the new season, we are finalising our nominations for the Cox Plate tomorrow, and are putting forward four of our horses: Avantage, Prise De Fer, Probabeel, Melody Belle and Te Akau Shark. How exciting is that!?
Actually Te Akau Shark has been recently been named the highest rated miler for the Australian season - now that's an achievement.
Other good news for the industry is that the Te Teko Trials are now being held - well done to everyone who was involved in organising this. It is a great track to get a good eye on how the horses are coming to hand. The sandy track there normally plays really well in August, and there are a really good bunch of people at Te Teko. Well done to the team.
I was also reading an article written by Michael Guerin in the New Zealand Herald this morning, about the stake money for Ellerslie Races this season - it is going to remain the same. Well done to Paul Wilcox and the Ellerslie team. This is a huge result and great news to receive as we go forward into the new season.
In other racing news it is becoming increasingly obvious to me that the Karaka Book One Sale for this coming year could be held in April, but the Book Two and Book Three sale likely in January.
It will also mean that the Million Dollar 2YO race might move to April, which is great news. The 3YO Million Dollar race will still run in January, which gives a nice lead in to the Derby.
In my opinion, it is really important, now more than ever, that we all stick together in these difficult times. If the New Zealand breeders are going to be loyal to Karaka, I will make this commitment to them - I will be 100% at Karaka too, to support them and our industry.
Nothing will destroy our sale series quicker than if the breeders take horses to other sales. I really hope that this doesn't happen.
Our attention is now turning to the Ready to Run sale, where we intend to continue buying horses to race. We have had terrific success from the Ready to Run sale in the last few years, with Group 1 horses like Gingernuts, Hall of Fame, Te Akau Shark and the list goes on. All have been purchased from this sale and have had outstanding careers as racehorses.
If you are interested in coming into a horse from this sale, please do not hesitate to get in touch - we would love to hear from you. If past sales are anything to go by, you don't want to hesitate in getting in contact!
Have a great week everyone and GO THE TANGERINE!
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