Te Akau Thursday Update

David writes:

There isn't a day that goes by that we don't sell shares in our Karaka horses.

We have now sold about 93% of the 41 - yes 41 - yearlings that we purchased for our New Zealand and Singapore stables.

After the sales I never have a drink of alcohol until 95% of my yearlings (in dollar terms) are sold so I am hoping to sell a few shares today (we have already sold eight today - Ed) and tomorrow which will allow me to celebrate what a hugely successful yearling sales we have had.

I am taking a few friends out for dinner after the Derby on Saturday so I am hoping to be able to have my first drink then!!  However one thing I have noticed is that with not having a drink, you feel very healthy - you sleep well, your mind works well and the weight pours off you so much better too!

We had a terrific day at the Matamata trials on Tuesday winning seven of the first 16 heats.  Although there are no stakes associated with trials, it does mean that the stable is over this cough which some horses have had and we can now look forward to autumn racing.

It was interesting to note that not one Matamata trained horse won at the local meeting - a first in my time!! and a meeting which the local trainers normally dominate.

The other day I had lunch with a breeder who asked me how the stable had gone since the move to Singapore - it is a question I get from time to time.  I didn't think much about the question at the time but as I was driving back home, I got to thinking about it and realised just what an amazing move it has been.

Firstly, although our Matamata stable has had a cough this season, since Jason has been at the helm of Te Akau in New Zealand, the results have been terrific:  a Champion 2YO in Warhorse, two New Zealand Bloodstock Fillies of the Year in King's Rose and Costa Viva, 32 Group and Listed race wins and in total about 280 wins with an average strike rate of 5.8 over that time.  These are statistics that we can all be unbelievably proud of.

When we turn our attention to Singapore, Mark is unstoppable so far this season.  The season commenced on 1 January and Mark is seven wins clear on the Trainers' Premiership with 20 wins, 11 runners up and 23 third placings.  Our Singapore stable is very close to $1 million in stakes' earnings for our owners already - click here to see the standings as of today:

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/Premiership.aspx

So it is all a huge result for Te Akau owners and we are looking forward to taking some nice horses to Queensland for the carnival over May/June.

Karyn and I firstly though are very much looking forward to the Auckland Cup Carnival - we will be there on all three days so an exciting week lies ahead and best of luck to Paul Kenny, Cameron George, Butch Castles and the whole team at the Auckland Racing Club.