Te Akau Owner of the Month

This month we shine the spotlight on the lovely Viki Brinkman from Christchurch:

I was born in Christchurch. My family farmed at Amberley, where I spent my early years. My grandparents lived in the homestead and I remember helping them feed the horses, mainly broodmares and foals, and young stock before they went into training.

Gloaming* was buried under a large gum tree on a rise in the homestead garden, and we had Defaulter* there for his final years.

I went to boarding school at the age of five in Christchurch and attended secondary school in Hawkes Bay. We had to travel there by ferry from Lyttleton to Napier, then railcar to Hastings.

Holidays were special. In the summer, it was mainly mum who took us away to Akaroa, or Timaru, and other places where dad was harvesting. Later, they bought a bach at Leithfield Beach which was handy to home and we had great teenage years there enjoying local dances and barbecues. I now have a small place in Queenstown, which I always enjoy visiting.

I travelled quite a lot when working in a travel firm, which stimulated my interest in the all the amazing places around the world. My particular favourite is Africa, and I visited there five times. I just love the wonderful animals and birds that are there. Animals and scenery are my main reasons to visit a country, although my favourite holiday destination is Hawaii.

My family was into breeding and racing horses. My earliest memory is attending the annual Amberley races as children, where we all had a great picnic and ran around after other children. After my husband Richard died, friends took me to Riccarton races. It was a great opportunity to get out and meet people and from there I thought it would be nice to have a small interest in a horse.

Te Akau has a good reputation and I saw David (Ellis) buying some lovely horses at the Yearling Sales so I rang him. One thing led to another and I now have shares in nine horses.

My favourite horse would have to be Alert [Dazzler], as he my first and I was so excited when taking family members with me to watch him in the Derby at Ellerslie.

Vive La Difference [Sophie] winning two races recently at Riccarton was a highlight and Astrid has won a couple of races too.

The breeding syndicate horse I really like is the Snitzel colt Epic Tale, and Esprit De Corps is preparing to race again, so I have plenty to look forward to.

The tour to Singapore with Te Akau was so much fun. I formed friendships with like-minded people and we were made to feel part of the Fenton/Ellis family, with David, Karyn and Julia-Rose.

I live in Christchurch, and have just moved back into my house after seven months of repairs, following the earthquakes, so I've got quite a project in the garden. I sometimes feel a bit far away from all the racing action but I wouldn't live anywhere else as I am a true one-eyed Cantabrian.

I do wish the stakes in racing here were better and that the government took more of an interest in what is a million dollar industry. At the moment I feel that we only get the enthusiasts involved, with so little money to be made when racing horses in NZ.

Buying a share in a syndicate is the easiest way to participate in such a fascinating sport and Te Akau does it so well. The communication is excellent and you really feel part of the team.

I have no dogs at present, after my last two died following the earthquakes and I am sure it was the stress that shortened their lives. I had two Staffies: Monty and Fonzie [The Fonze], whom I'll never forget.

I've decided not to replace my furry friends, as I travel and visit family away from home but that doesn't stop me stopping and patting dogs at the beach. I am godmother to a Golden Retriever and love taking her to the beach with my friend on Saturday mornings.

Outside of racing, my interests include swimming, reading, gardening, and I love all types of music. I particularly enjoy concerts and the theatre.

*Gloaming (b. g. The Welkin - Light) had 67 starts, 57 wins and 9 seconds. He was owned by George Greenwood.

*Defaulter (h. Defoe - Expense) was named after the winning bidder ‘defaulted' and he was sold as a yearling to the under bidder, Harold Greenwood. He won 22 races from 28 starts and became a very successful sire at Inglewood Stud.

Both horses are New Zealand Hall of Fame inductees.