Te Akau Owners of the Month

Finer gentlemen, you'd struggle to meet.

Gavin Wealleans and his son, Shane Wealleans, own N. T. Wealleans Ltd - industry leaders in the cartage and application of fertiliser and the largest privately owned business of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. And not only are they prolific racehorse owners but they also show their generosity in race sponsorship.

“A very good customer of ours, David Ellis, introduced me to horse racing,” said Gavin Wealleans. “But prior to that a very good bank manager, who was having a look around our properties and vehicles one day, said he wanted to get back and watch his horse trial at Matamata. His horse was called Currency and although I had no interest in racing I got him back to watch the trial. So I went to the bar and he watched his horse, and I met a guy called Ken Lindsay who owned Chandon Stud. He said he had a horse from the first crop of Super Imposing; we called her Super Inn, and she won three times before running second to Phillipa Rush in the 1989 Matamata Breeders Stakes. I thought this is a good game to be involved in - great people, that got dressed up to go to the races and it was just an environment I enjoyed. And, even though we finished second we still got up and did a dance on the table.

“The first horse I had with Te Akau was named Te Akau Red, a horse David (Ellis) bought from the sales in Australia. By Palace Music, we had good success with him winning four and placing ten times over four seasons from 1996.

“Since then we've been involved with Te Akau every year, in syndicates and individual ownership. I've got a few photos on the wall and we've had over 50 winners. I like racing horses with Te Akau for two reasons: firstly, they know the business of the horse industry and, secondly, we know our business in the fertiliser industry and look after all their requirements on the farm at Te Akau Stud. I enjoy the way David does business and the fellowship they introduce into involving us as owners and welcoming us to their home at the stud.

“I love that you meet such a broad spectrum of people in horse racing,” said Gavin. “It's an industry that is one of the greatest levellers I've been involved in, win, lose, or draw, and I enjoy a full day at the races as a sporting day out.

“Tina and I have been married for 45 years and live in Te Puna, so I travel over the Kaimai's everyday to work in Matamata. I'm 72 now and seem to be working harder than I ever have and I've been involved in the family business for 48 years. Dad, Tom Wealleans, started the business in 1946 and with Shane we're now third generation and he and his wife Rebecca have produced a young son named Tom. It will be a great oak tree after the acorn has dropped, and I still enjoy the fun I get out of the business and my sporting contacts, especially racing.

“Tina and I have an avocado ranch and enjoy getting offshore two or three times a year to holiday in Fiji.

“I have a dream......., but the best horse I have raced has been Burgundy (Redoute's Choice) and I look forward to his future at stud. Although having had over 50 winners, I still reflect the Super Inn day, when I wanted to borrow money off the bank manager and all he wanted to do was go and watch his horse trial,” said Gavin.

“Born in Matamata, live in Matamata, work in Matamata, and more than likely die in Matamata,” said the good-humoured Shane Wealleans.

“I first got involved in racing a horse called Ungaro with a group of local lads, but prior to I actually had the good fortune of winning a little bit of money on a misguided trifecta in the Waikato Gold Cup - Jimmy Collett rode the winner that year. Anyway, all the lads were heading off to the races and I had to work. I shot into the Matamata TAB and quickly picked four horses and down at the ‘big club' later to have a beer and watch the race, the trifecta came in and paid $550. I thought that's good. A guy came up to me and said you'll be shouting all night, ‘I replied steady on its only $550'. He said, ‘no, no, have a look', and it was $5500. So, I shouted one round of drinks and shot down to the TAB and as a young guy getting one his biggest collects ever I said I'll have $500 cash and rest in a cheque, thanks.

“Anyway, a few of the boys said I'd better come in on this horse (Ungaro) and it was a great consortium of people from all different vocations that got involved in a bloody good syndicate.

“As an out from business, we decided to race some horses together as a hobby and there is no one better to race horses with than Te Akau,” said Shane. “Aside from that, David (Ellis) and Mark (Walker) have been great contributors to our business in their farming interests and they use us to supply all their fertilizer. So, it's good to be able to reciprocate business with them and you meet some bloody good people racing horses.

“The opportunity for us in the colts syndicates to race well-bred, high-priced colts with potential to be stallions is something we would not be able to do on our own and with Te Akau we get the opportunity to participate in syndicates that give everyone an equal chance in a colt that can do many great things both on and off the track.

“Affirmation (Fastnet Rock) is probably one of my favourite horses, because I had the pleasure of staying late in the afternoon at Karaka, with David and Mark, waiting to acquire him through the ring. So, he holds something special for me and to see Affirmation going on to produce a few wins in Singapore is great. He is a big grey horse that I liked.

“We have been very fortunate to race a number of winners with Te Akau, and recently Gavin and I raced Glad (Pins) with a bunch of guys that was trained by Jason (Bridgman) at Te Akau. It had been a little while between wins on New Zealand soil for us, so seeing her win the Anniversary Handicap (Listed, 1400m) in January at Trentham is something you never forget (that's Karyn on the left with Gavin third from the left and Shane fourth from left behind Gavin).

“It's easy to get despondent in this game, but when you get a win like that it just reignites your passion for the industry and we are very fortunate with Te Akau that we have every opportunity to feel that passion. And, I'll never forget something Garry Chittick [Waikato Stud] said to me once, ‘If you stop trying, Shane, you'll never win'.

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