David writes:

Racing is simply the best 'game' in town - but of course it's not a game at the level that we are involved - it's a business that also delivers fun, challenges and success.  Nothing is quite as exciting as seeing your horse win!

Racing means so many things to different people - it's a business, a hobby, a sport - but one thing I do know is, that in this part of the world it's absolutely thriving.

I don't think there has previously ever been a time, in my lifetime, when there has been so much interest from people wanting to be involved in our great industry.  In the past months we have welcomed so many new owners, was well as significant re-investment from our existing owners, it has been just truly humbling.  People are excited about being part of the tangerine team and enjoying racing horses.

Stake money is increasing and good horses are selling for record prices. Australia is just three hours away and we are able to contest the good stakes on offer there too. Top colts are selling to stud for up to $60 million and just recently we sold Avantage as a broodmare for a world on-line record of $4 million.

Fillies now have terrific residual value and with this in mind, I bought five last week at the Magic Million's sale on there Gold Coast.

Karyn and I have put two stand-out fillies into a syndicate - they are Lot 9 our Exceed and Excel filly out of Elusive Meteor who I bought for $400,000 (who was an absolute steal being early in the sale) and Lot 583 our Written Tycoon filly out of Supara who cost $800,000.

This is the first time we have put a partnership together where I gave each horse my highest possible rating (both achieved a 'A' from me which is a rarity).

These fillies have superbly rich pedigrees and are both physically, attractive, strong and well developed individuals.

Please do check our website "Yearlings & Shares" page for their videos, pedigrees and further details. This is a partnership you will be proud to be part of.

Although we had no luck in the two major races o0n Saturday, we won three races, including a Listed 2YO race at Trentham - our 20th stakes' win for the season, 16 in New Zealand and four in Australia.  That's a huge tally thus far with the season not quite six months through.

It was also special to see Cote De Beaune, who Karyn syndicated amongst our owners only about a month ago, win his second successive race, with his three quarter sister Hanalei claiming the stakes' race shortly after.

When Zoustar mare Zoluminous won the last race at Wingatui, that was our 64th New Zealand win for the season - very exciting results for our owners.  Well done to all the team!

The winning didn't stop there though - later on Saturday our Te Akau Singapore trainer Donna Logan and Fortuna combined to enjoy two wins at Kranji - King Arthur who is an exciting galloper, and Brutus, who it was good to see back in the winners' circle.  Donna has had a great start to the season - well done Donna, we are proud to have you and Pete in the tangerine team!

I would also like to especially mention the wonderful job Mark Walker has done helping me purchase yearlings on the Gold Coast in the past week at the Magic Million's sale.  Mark is a wonderful judge of a thoroughbred and I am certain that we have bought very good yearlings who will give their new owners plenty of thrills.  The future is very exciting for Te Akau Racing.

Now this week our attention turns to the Karaka Million twilight meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday.  Te Akau has a strong team to race on that night so we cannot wait for Saturday to come around.  We will shortly also be able to confirm the riding engagements for the event too.

Have a great week and see you at Ellerslie!

GO THE TANGERINE!