Te Akau Team Member of the Month

Te Akau's "Team Member of the Month" award for July has been announced -

Deane Lowcay of Te Akau Stud has been named July's "Team Member of the Month".

The news that he had been awarded "Team Member of the Month" came as quite a shock to the Equine Assistant and 2IC, who said he was extremely honoured and grateful to be receiving such an accolade. However, Deane felt there was a much higher calibre of talented and hardworking people within Te Akau Stud and Racing Stables who deserved the award more.

However Te Akau Stud's Equine Manager Enzo Di Leoni clearly stated that Deane was more than deserving of such a recognition.

“I can safely say that in all my years within the racing industry, I have never met someone quite like Deane - his work ethic and horsemanship is second to none,” said Enzo, “I feel proud to be able to work alongside him.”

Deane
has been part of the Te Akau Stud team for just over a year and half and says
that no day is ever the same which is one of the many reasons he enjoys his
role.

“From
a high level of professional care, to foal handling and assisting Enzo with the
breakers, the diversity of work is quite huge out here, and the everyday
appreciation makes you feel good about coming to work.”

“Our
main job here at Te Akau Stud is to ensure that the spellers are exceptionally
cared for, so that when our racehorses return to work at our stables in
Matamata, they are in a positive frame and great condition. I can honestly say
that this is the best spelling and agistment operation that I have ever seen.
It is a very unique experience, and location, and I feel very privileged to be
a part of it.”

Deane has always been involved with horses and has been riding since ‘before I could remember'. He was New Zealand Cutting Horse Association Hi Point Champion Youth on the Western circuit, which eventually took him to America where he travelled and competed across the states before returning to New Zealand.

However,
Deane explained that thoroughbreds are a whole other ball game.

“You
are consistently learning, all the time. From different aspects of doctoring,
from breaking-in to handling and care; I really do love animals, and a horse is
an individual that you can learn from. You take the positives with you, and
leave the negatives far, far behind.”

“Here
at Te Akau Stud and Racing Stables, you are surrounded by people who are
competitive in their desire to grow and evolve, and this is a team where you
can thrive on helping each other alleviate your skills to the next level.”

While
the great team environment is a huge factor that makes Deane enjoy his work,
another diversity that Deane says Te Akau Stud can clearly boast about is the
support from the Directors, David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis.

“David is an exceptional employer, who goes above and beyond to look after his staff. Not too many bosses are that enthusiastic about greeting their staff, yet David is always out in the stable, first thing in the morning, right among it and genuinely asks and wants to know how we are all doing,” explained Deane.

“David and Karyn are always appreciative of everyone putting their best effort forward. It is wonderful to be in an environment where every day, you are made to feel appreciated for the work you do. I would just like to thank David, Karyn and Enzo for providing the opportunities that have made this award possible for me.” 

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