Te Akau Sunday Update

David writes:

Congratulations to the Wellington Racing Club for putting on such a great day's racing yesterday.

A good track; good crowd; good atmosphere; good, hard-working committee - it all makes for good racing.

To all of the people who sent emails and text messages of congratulations on Hall of Fame's Group 1 win - a huge thank you - Karyn and I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and support.

It was a huge thrill to win another Group 1 race at Trentham.  Straight after the presentation I rushed to the airport and flew back to Auckland and was home at the farm having a drink with Karyn by 8.30pm.  Karyn had recorded all the races for me so it was good to watch those - and even reflect back on my first visit to Trentham back in 1971.  Of course Trentham is special to Karyn and me as that is where we were first introduced by Colin Jillings!

The Trentham track has always had a fascination for me and fortunately, it has been one of my lucky racecourses.  I can think of past Group 1 winners there including King's Chapel, Princess Coup, Darci Brahma and Maroofity ... let's hope that luck can continue next Saturday!

My complete focus however for the next three weeks is the upcoming Karaka Sale.  I am inspecting yearlings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and then only have a handful left from the Premier catalogue to view at Karaka the following week before the sale.  I am extremely well prepared and I enjoy that as it takes any pressure off.

Last week at the Gold Coast sale I purchased three fillies and two colts.

The first filly that I bought was Lot 24 - an I Am Invincible filly for A$240,000.  The sire of this filly is one of the hottest stallions in Australia.He was Champion First Season Sire in 2013/14 and Champion Third Season Sire in 2015/16.  He actually now stands for A$100,000 and Houtzen, one of his daughters, won the A$2 million Magic Millions' 2YO race on Saturday at the Gold Coast in superb fashion from the extreme outside draw - so, looking back, because our filly was so early in the sale she was terrific buying!

This filly's dam line is full of elite racehorses such as the champion sire Not A Single Doubt - she certainly has a pedigree to die for.

This is the type of filly that you buy a share in if you want to win a Golden Slipper and we will aim to take her back to the Gold Coast for next year's A$2 million race that's for sure.  She is a top quality filly and when she finishes her racing career, she has every credential to be a very valuable broodmare, especially if we can train her to win stakes' races - and that is what we specialise in.

The colt that I purchased was Lot 554 for A$560,000 - just have a look at this colt!!  Another precocious 2YO type by a Champion Sire in Redoute's Choice - the same sire as Burgundy.

I purchased this colt as the first colt for our 2017 Breeding Syndicate - I wanted one real 2YO type so the place to buy them is at the Gold Coast.  The other three colts for our syndicate this year will be purchased at Karaka.

This syndicate is already 70% sold - so if you want to be part of this exciting opportunity you will need to be very quick.  I have a good record of buying horses that stand at stud!

Horses that I have bought/we have trained standing at stud currently are Darci Brahma, King's Chapel, Rock 'n' Pop, Burgundy - with Xtravagant and Heroic Valour waiting in the stallion wings as their future stud careers are guaranteed.

After yesterday I am sure that Hall of Fame will be added to this list.

Overall the Gold Coast Sale showed just how much confidence there is in the racing and breeding industry in Australia.  With prize money increases being announced most months, the good thing is that we are only about a $6000 airfare away for our horses who can race for these big stakes.

I am going to be very active at Karaka and Te Akau is also very proud to once again sponsor the two day Premier Sale television coverage on Sky and Trackside.  If you would like to be involved with us please get in touch with me at any time.

If you would like to come and have a coffee with me to discuss any investment at Karaka then please call me on  021 925 151 any time - after all it's easier to bid with me than against me (wink - Ed)!  One thing is for certain however, we will be buying nice young horses in every price range - there will be something for you for sure, no matter what your budget.

Just before I sign off - yesterday at Te Akau there was a very popular polo competition and we sponsored a local polo team.  You will be pleased to know that the Te Akau Racing team, captained by gun Tommy Wilson, came out as the winners - well done!!

Have a great week and GO the Tangerine!