Te Akau Thursday Update

David writes:

This has to be my favourite time of the year. I just love going around the farm showing people who have invested in the yearlings the horses they have bought into.

I must have seen each of our yearlings from the sales over 30 times or even more since they arrived home to Te Akau Stud. Yesterday for example we had six different groups of owners come to visit and it's so much fun talking to the various people. We have over 60 new owners who have this year invested in what I believe is the best group of yearlings that I have ever bought.

It's just amazing how frequently the last few horses to sell seem to be the top horses. Easily one of the best colts I bought was colt was Lot 88 a colt by Declaration Of War out of Cat Shmea. The reason I think that is, is because people in this part of the world don't know about the exciting new sire Declaration Of War.

Let me assure you some really top breeders sent mares to him. He was a hell of a racehorse winning seven races including two Group 1 races at Royal Ascot. This is a stunning colt that I thought would be ready to race this time next year. In my catalogue I gave him the highest marking possible and my comments were “good, strong, well balanced colt - athletic individual, a great mover, holds himself well" and in my mind he was one of the top colts by a freshman sire in the sale.

If you would like to win a Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas with a colt that could train on to be a Group 1 NZ Derby colt, then he is the colt for you.

In my opinion he was one of the great buys of the Premier Sale - a 10% share would only cost $14,600 plus GST - or a 5% share for $7,300. Don't forget that this colt will qualify for TWO $1,000,000 races at Ellerslie plus remember that the Derby at Ellerslie is now worth $1,000,000 as well and this colt could be in all of these races.

Yes you're on to it - I love him and Karyn and I are going to take a share in him as he is magnificent.

The grass at Te Akau Stud is just so lush with all the rain we have had over recent weeks - we have never had better grass for the horses - and they also get fed twice a day with the famous Dustan Feed.

Looking towards the weekend I am really looking forward to the Matamata races on Saturday. It will be great to have Opie Bosson back riding and we have some good chances so good luck to all our owners at the weekend.

After winning four races last Sunday in Singapore, we are again looking forward to our team racing for trainer Mark Walker at Kranji on Friday.  After his outstanding results, Mark has again hit the front on the Trainers' Premiership - there are no races this Sunday.

Today Julia-Rose was out on the farm taking some pictures for the website of the mares and foals and yearlings, we hope you enjoy these below.