Te Akau Thursday Update

David writes:

It has been a very busy week again at Te Akau Stud with new owners visiting every day.

Today I had two special team members at the farm for lunch ... Tommy Hazlett and Daniel Miller.  Everybody knows Tom but let me promise you it won't be long until everyone knows who Daniel is too.

Daniel is an apprentice jockey but has become too heavy for flat racing however he has a huge future in this industry nonetheless.  Daniel is a gun trackwork rider and is now turning his attention to being a jumps' jockey where he has already enjoyed success.

Daniel currently has a 3kg claim so you can watch and follow him in the months ahead with confidence.  Last week he won a jumpers' flat for us aboard Stanica Star at Counties.  He is a quality young man and a very important member of our team.

Gosh it is dry in the Waikato but it could be another month before the rain comes.  The amazing thing is that the stock are in terrific condition and we still have plenty of grass - not top quality grass but plenty of maintenance feed. The stock just love the warm weather and I have never seen the horses looking so good.

We started breaking in more horses today and currently have 20 in work.  Our young horses represent some of the best quality I have ever had at the farm.

One colt that everyone likes is the Pins colt out of Petit Verdot - he is a full brother to Antonio Lombardo - this colt is part of a two horse syndicate that is going to Singapore. Here are there photos and watch the Straight to Singapore on our home page or on our "videos" page.

There is no GST payable on these colts providing they are exported within two years which of course is what we will be doing.   A 10% share in these two colts is $20,000 and a 5% share in the two only $10,000.  Remember too that a maiden race stake rises to $75,000 in Singapore from 1 April.   Mark Walker is very much looking forward to training them both.