Te Akau Monday Update
23 June, 2025
David writes:
At this time of year, things naturally quieten down a little at Te Akau Racing with the winter tracks really becoming the norm. While our stables are still full and thriving, we have fewer horses ready to race over the next six weeks - which gives us a great opportunity to take a moment, catch our breath, and reflect on what has been a truly remarkable season.
One of my personal highlights came just this past Saturday with Cool Aza Rene’s win at Riccarton. She is a filly I bought at last year's January Magic Millions' sale for $55,000 and it was a really special result for several reasons. She’s by Cool Aza Beel, a horse I purchased as a yearling - a son of Savabeel, he went on to win the Karaka Millions 2YO and the Group 1 Sistema Stakes before crowned Champion 2YO of the Year.
Cool Aza Rene is out of an Xtravagant mare - Xtravagant was also another yearling I bought who went on to become a top-class performer. He won both the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and the Group 1 Waikato Sprint by 8.5 lengths and was named Champion 3YO of the Year.
Today, both Xtravagant and Cool Aza Beel stand proudly at Newhaven Park as stallions - and what a thrill it was to see Cool Archie last weekend become his sire's first Group 1 winner from his first crop. He's an exciting up and coming stallion for sure and Cool asa Rene has stamped herself with a bright future, winning four of her five juvenile starts.
Cool Aza Rene’s win was our 149th trans-Tasman victory of the season, and our 126th in New Zealand for 2024/25. Her win was also the 109th win by horses I have purchased for this season alone - a statistic we’re extremely proud of, and one that’s very rewarding for our loyal owners.
Another season's achievement that meant a great deal to both Karyn and me was celebrating our 101st Group 1 win when Return to Conquer triumphed in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes. He’s now in Australia preparing for some of the major Spring features - we’re excited to see what’s ahead for him.
Of those 101 elite-level wins, 90 were by horses Te Akau purchased as yearlings, which underlines just how effective our selection and development programme continues to be.
Winning both the Karaka Millions 2YO with La Dorada and the Karaka Millions 3YO with Damask Rose in January was simple a wonderful result for our owners and our team - then of course to see La Dorada go on to win the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, and Damask Rose victorious in the inaugural NZB Kiwi.
It’s hard to overstate the joy and pride we felt this year winning both Karaka Millions. And without question, one of the greatest moments of the season was winning the inaugural NZB Kiwi Slot Race - the richest race for three-year-olds in the Southern Hemisphere. To win the first running of such a significant event was truly a once-in-a-lifetime thrill.
Huge congratulations to Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson for their exceptional training efforts, ably backed up by Assistant Trainer Reece Trumper and our Racing Manager Michael Gray. Their commitment is first class.
It wasn’t just our juveniles shining this season either: Captured By Love gave us another big thrill winning the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas, while Mehzebeen’s victory in the New Zealand Cup on that same day at Riccarton was a standout during another outstanding Cup Week.
Te Akau's southern team, led brilliantly by assistant trainer Hunter Durrant, has done a tremendous job. According to Tim Mills and the Canterbury Jockey Club, Te Akau is currently the leading stable in the South Island, which is a fantastic result.
One practical advantage of racing in the South is the generally more settled winter weather - with less rainfall than the Waikato/Auckland regions, the tracks recover much more quickly, which suits many of our horses. We’re planning to send a strong team south again for the New Zealand Cup Carnival, with several horses aiming to race from August/September.
We’ve also been thrilled with some recent performances from our Australian stable. The Mighty Spar continues to shine over the jumps in Victoria - he absolutely loves it - and since joining our Cranbourne stable, he has now won over A$200,000, which is fantastic for his connections (that's him in the main picture).
It was also terrific to see Stage ‘N’ Screen return to the winner’s circle at Pakenham with a tough, well-deserved win. And a special shout-out to St Vincents Garden - a five-year-old Camelot gelding I purchased just two weeks ago through Inglis Digital for A$100,000 - he won on debut at Geelong on Friday so that’s an immediate and rewarding result for the owners who chose to get involved with him.
Of course, all of these successes come off the back of a lot of hard work, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see that dedication translate into results for our owners - the people who support us so loyally and we we truly value.
It was also a real honour for me to become the first yearling buyer ever inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame - a milestone I share with all the wonderful people who have supported Te Akau’s journey. It was a very humbling experience and there are so many people who are part of that story.
This week I’ll be heading up to Karaka for the NZB Weanling Sale. I’ll be there Thursday morning, having a look at a number of very nice young horses. If you’re interested in becoming involved in a weanling, don’t hesitate to give me a call on 021 925 151 - I’d love to chat.
We still have a few shares remaining in two or three of the most exciting yearlings we’ve purchased this year. Interestingly, both Avantage and Imperatriz were the last to sell in their respective years - and they went on to win nine and 10 Group 1 races respectively, collecting millions in prize money before being sold for record sums.
Two yearlings I’d like to highlight are:
The Home Affairs – King’s Iris filly, purchased at Magic Millions for A$170,000. She’s a really athletic type, and our team is already impressed with her progress since arriving back at the stable for her second preparation - she is pictured left - https://www.teakauracing.com/yearling/lot-563-home-affairs-aus-kings-iris-aus-bay-filly
The Wootton Bassett – Pleasurable filly, also from Magic Millions, purchased for A$360,000. She is an absolutely outstanding type and, in our opinion, offered terrific value. She’s strong, scopey, and full of promise and precocity - pictured right - https://www.teakauracing.com/yearling/lot-788-wootton-bassett-gb-pleasurable-ire-bay-filly
If you’re interested in either of these fillies, feel free to get in touch by phone or email Karyn at [email protected]. We always welcome new owners, and you’ll be surprised just how easy it is to get involved. You’re also warmly invited to visit the stables or the farm by appointment to view the horses in person.
We’re proud to have sold horses at record pace this year, with many owners reinvesting and plenty of new faces joining the Te Akau family - which is always exciting.
On the farm, we’ve had a couple of frosts this past week, but there’s still plenty of grass and our stock is looking in fantastic condition. I’m confident our cattle weights heading into spring will be very strong.
Lambing begins in just over two weeks with the five-year-old ewes, and our mixed-aged ewes will start lambing on 1 August. The farm is looking an absolute picture at the moment. We’ve also had three Te Akau local young people - two school-leavers and a university student - working with us during their break, helping tidy up, grub thistles, and help the team keep everything in top shape.
Thank you again for your continued support. We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved this season, and we’re looking forward to coming months with enthusiasm and confidence!