Te Akau Monday Update

David writes:

What an unforgettable day the team had at Trentham on Saturday, celebrating an incredible quinella in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes - Te Akau's 101st Group 1 title - thanks to La Dorada and Hostility!

A huge congratulations to the owners of La Dorada and to the entire team who cares for her so meticulously. She was simply outstanding, winning by an impressive 3/5 lengths. I thought Hostility also ran a brilliant race, especially when you consider it was only the I Am Invincible's colt's second ever race day start. He has an exciting three-year-old season ahead of him. 

Our other two runners in the race will benefit from a spell, and I have no doubt they will return as very very competitive three-year-olds - To Bravery Born who had no luck in the running, and Born To Be Royal who we believe we will see the best of as a three year old.

La Dorada was given a perfect ride by Michael McNab - what a class act he is! His work ethic is second to none, and I always love seeing him bring home a winner for us. The last time he won the Sires’ Produce Stakes was with Melody Belle in 2017, and she bolted in that day too! 

Well done, Michael, and thank you for your ongoing dedication - you’re a champion!

Watching our horses perform at the highest level is always a thrill, but this victory was made even sweeter by an impressive statistic shared on Trackside's review programme Weigh In on Sunday morning - this marks the seventh time in the last eight years that Te Akau has won this race.  

The stable has won this race nine times in total with five of those winners going on to be named Champion 2YO of the year. These results are testament to the dedication, talent, and hard work of our entire team.

Another interesting fact that was pointed out by NZ Racing News is that since the inception of the Karaka Millions in 2008, Te Akau Racing is the only stable to win the Karaka Millions, Sistema and Sires’ Produce Stakes in the same season. 

However we have now achieved this remarkable feat four times – in 2018 (Avantage in the Karaka Millions and Sires’ Produce Stakes, Sword Of Osman in the Sistema); 2019 (Probabeel in the Karaka Millions, Yourdeel in the Sistema and Sires’ Produce Stakes); 2021 (On The Bubbles in the Karaka Millions and Sires’ Produce Stakes, Sword Of State in the Sistema) and now in 2025.

Reflecting on our past winners of this race makes us really excited about the future of La Dorada and Hostility: one of our winners Melody Belle, went on to secure 13 subsequent Group 1 victories; another of our victors Avantage added another eight Group 1 wins to her name and both continued racing until they were six before being sold as broodmares. 

Their success stories underline the strength and longevity of our horses, which is something we take great pride in.

Some sideline commentators like to suggest that Te Akau only excels with two-year-olds and doesn’t produce stayers or older horses. However, a quick glance at our record tells a different story. Just two years ago, we won the Wellington Cup, and this season alone, we've claimed victory in the New Zealand Cup and the Metropolitan - both with older horses. One of our recently retired all-time favourites, Prise De Fer won the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes in 2022 as a 7YO. 

Our other Saturday winner was Class, and he's a 'home-bred' that's had a wonderful season for his owners. An imposing boy who loves to get on with the business, he deserved the win and looks to have plenty more to come, though he will now head for a well earned break.  

Class is by Embellish, another colt I bought who went on to win at Group 1 level, who now stands at Cambridge Stud!  Class debuted this season as a 3YO and has won twice, been second and third three times apiece, and has only out of the money once in his career.

Yes - it’s a fantastic time for Te Akau and our owners, and we’re excited about what’s still to come.

I also want to extend my congratulations to our entire team across Matamata and Riccarton and the farm for the phenomenal season we’re having. The stable has now amassed an extraordinary $8.294 million in stakes this season -  not only a new record for the stable for domestic New Zealand prize money but we are told, the highest of any stable in the history of New Zealand racing! 

And of course the stable now has one win to go until another century of season's wins is recorded.  I wonder who will become our 100th winner for 2024/25?

That achievement is a true credit to the massive contribution of Mark and Sam, and every single person in our team. Massive appreciation and respect to you all! 

I was looking back through last week's edition of Raceform today - a publication Karyn and I always enjoy (in fact we need to have our own copies)!!  While we were delighted to see La Dorada gracing the front cover, I want to commend Dennis Ryan for his exceptional trackwork reporting. 

Dennis always ensures he includes the jockey’s name in his track work reports, which makes a world of difference. Knowing who is riding during trackwork is crucial when evaluating times - there’s a big difference between a filly being ridden by a 45kg apprentice versus a senior rider such as Opie Bosson who is carrying 10–12kg more. Dennis, your work is outstanding, and is very appreciated by many.

On the farm, the recent rain at Te Akau has given the grass a much-needed boost, and with more rain forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, we’re hopeful for a really good growth spurt. While the pasture quality isn’t quite where it usually is, we’re fortunate to have enough grass to keep our sheep and cattle thriving.

Finally, we still have shares available in some outstanding yearlings. One that has particularly caught everyone’s eye in Matamata is Lot 119 from Karaka - a striking Sword of State colt out of Miss Remington. He's impressed the breaking in team, and is attracting the same praise in the stable.

I also bought Sword of State from the Magic Millions' sale and he was a dominant performer, winning four of his first five starts, including the Group 1 Sistema Stakes, before retiring to Cambridge Stud, where his first foals have drawn rave reviews as I have said.

His dam, Miss Remington, is by Savoire Vivre, a Group 2-winning son of the breed-defining Sadler’s Wells. She has already produced a high-quality galloper in Strathtay, a multiple winner to 2400m, with black-type placings in NSW.

This colt is as much like his sire as I have seen and the team reckons he well race early. He’s forward-moving, mature, and oozes quality - just like his sire. He just looks a readymade type with strength, power, and presence. He's bred to be fast, tough, and a serious racehorse.

If you’re interested in being part of this colt’s journey, give me a call on 021 925 151. You’re always welcome to come and see him for yourself - we’d love to have you involved.

We have a very busy week ahead with the rescheduled Taupo trials at Ellerslie on Tuesday and Thursday so it's all hands on deck ... looking forward to seeing some of our new youngsters have their first taste of the trials too!

The Sydney Easter Sale starts on Sunday too so Karyn and I, along with Mark and Marcus will be heading that way.  

Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!