Te Akau Team Member for September

Te Akau is proud to announce our Team Member for September - senior stablehand Trevor Stewart ...

“Trevor has become an integral part of our team,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “He's enjoying the racing side of things again and he's been a great addition. He's a big strong bloke that can show leadership with the young kids coming through and with the young horses as well, particularly getting them on and off the trucks where safe hands are required.

"Trevor's a valued member of our more senior staff and people with his sort of experience are hard to come by. He fits in really well to a team environment and a well-liked member of staff. He is a good and reliable bloke.”

Trevor Stewart:

I do everything from basic stable duties to helping educate new staff and taking care horses that require extra management on race day. It's a flexible position and I'm there for the jobs Jamie (Richards) requires to be done.

I'm attached to the Main Stable, but assist around the other barns when required too. I've spent a bit of time in the Colt Barn, but happy to fit in where's best.

I love working with the horses and seeing them win races. I love seeing how horses can change in their attitude and demeanour, improve with it and progress. For me, it's all about the horses.

I've been very lucky to be involved with Avantage (Fastnet Rock), who can be cantankerous and requires a bit of managing. Jamie felt I might suit her and I've been pleased and honoured to get that role with such a good mare.

The quality of horses is high. You can go to a box and pull a horse out and think, gee, that's a nice horse. Go to the next box and the same again. It's what we're lucky to be dealing with and that's what I enjoy.

It's not the easiest hours to work, but I'm impressed by the work ethic of the staff. They will go the extra mile to get the job done and get horses to the races in top condition, which rubs off on everyone and drives each other on. It's a fantastic crew to be working with.

Te Akau Racing is a sharp operation and great to work for. The systems they have in place are proven with the success or the horses. There are people that will bag you, but you're always going to get that when you're at the top. They look after their staff and it's been a great opportunity for me.

In any sort of environment where you have large numbers you need to be well organised and we all arel, and I think that everyone is looking at the bigger picture: the well-being of the horses and the results. And everyone feels proud that they're working towards getting good results and shares in the success. It's been about 12 months for me and I've been provided with some of the greatest moments in racing that I've experienced. 

David Ellis is a good boss to work for. If you're straight up with him, he's willing to go the extra mile for you and you have to appreciate that about Dave. He rewards people that work hard and realises that hard work produces the results. A classic example was how they looked after the staff during the Covid-19 lockdown period. We were well informed in what was a stressful time for a lot of people and it was great to have the backing of Karyn and Dave. You knew where you stood and were totally informed with what was happening.

The results with Avantage last season and this season would have to be the highlight for me. We've had two Group 1 wins together, the Foxbridge Plate, and Group 1 placed twice at Hastings. She's not the easiest to deal with and can make my life hard, but for all that she is a highlight.

Even going back to the first winner I strapped for them, Byzantine (Savabeel), and being absolutely over-the-moon with that result. Sergio was his stable name. There was always a bit of banter about me and him. He was no superstar, but he tried hard, won four, and remains a favourite of mine. I've had a bit of luck and strapped quite a few winners. I enjoy being with the horses on race day and seeing them do well. It gives the owners a buzz and gives me a buzz, too. There is also a nice colt that I've liked all the way through, Brando (Savabeel).

I got into racing after injury finished my rugby career, a few years back now, and started off working on the starting gates. I spent 20 years doing that and managed the Northern Race Day crew - Taupo north. I did some work on studs and applied for a job with Te Akau when they advertised. I'm absolutely rapt with the way things are going and honoured to get an award.

It's the first time I've lived in Matamata. I enjoy the town and it's going well for me. The spring weather is picking up and it's a good place to be.

 

David (Ellis) and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) introduced the monthly award
as a way of saying thanks to all the team, from themselves and also on behalf of the owners, in appreciation of horses being given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

“I keep saying that because these people love horses, they're
prepared to get up at 3.30 a.m. in winter and summer, rain, hail and shine,” Ellis said.

“We create opportunities for young people to get involved in a
thoroughbred business that we try to run as professionally as we can, and also employ people that have spent their careers working in the industry and bring enormous amounts of experience.”

The Team Member of the Quarter receives a cash prize and overall
winner an all expenses paid trip for two to Queenstown.

 

Back