Te Akau Thursday Update

David writes:

What an unbelievable week it has been for everyone associated with Te Akau Racing.

It started at Trentham with Festivity's win and then Avantage winning the Group 1 so impressively. Then we move to Ellerslie and what a truly unbelievable experience it was to see so many happy owners involved with our three Karaka Million runners. 

Probabeel was purchased for $380,000 and Cool Aza Beel was purchased for $150,000, while Bordeaux Le Rouge cost just $20,000, so you can see there is room for everyone here at Te Akau Racing.

I was just so excited for all the owners - just to see the expression on their faces as their horses thundered home is just something that money can't buy. As I always say, the great thing about racing is it is something that you can do with your husband, wife or partner. 

For example, some men like playing sport to socialise with 'the boys' as well as keep fit, while some women like play sport to socialise with the girls and follow their fitness regime. Racing is an activity that is made for couples or for families to do together. I see so many people travel away together to see their horse racing, and they meet other syndicate owners and become great friends with them. 

Already this season in New Zealand, and Australia and Singapore, our stable has won approximately $8.5 million dollars in prize money for our owners. It really is just wonderful to see our stable in such good form, especially for all our owner's enjoyment. 

After the thrill of Saturday, we moved onto the Karaka Sales and it was so encouraging to see so many of our owners here, enjoying the atmosphere and being involved with the buying process. We finished up purchasing 30 yearlings, and I have to say that shares are selling the quickest they have ever sold. 

If you would like to be involved, I would not hesitate in emailing Karyn to save the disappointment of missing out.

I thought the standard of yearlings this year was very high, with a lot of beautiful athletes available. It is so exciting for our staff, both at the stables and the stud, knowing that they have these incredible horses to work with over the next 12 months. 

One filly that I really liked was Lot 449, a Savabeel Filly out of Baby Shacks. This filly I paid $320,000 for and she is the famous Savabeel/O'Reilly cross. 

This filly is bred to be a 2YO - I can see her winning the Karaka Million next year, running in the Matamata Breeders Stakes, as well as the Sires Produce - this is the type of horse that this Savabeel filly is. 

A 10% share in her is $33,350 +GST - a 5% share is $16,675 +GST.

If you are interested in a colt, I liked Lot 627. He is by Savabeel and is hard to beat. 

This Savabeel colt, out of Got It, I thought would be a Derby colt, as I don't believe he will race until the Autumn as a 2YO. He is from a great family of Splashing Out, Shopaholic, Splurge, Sacred Falls etc. 

I can see him being at Riccarton for the 2000 Guineas and then train on to the Avondale Guineas and the New Zealand Derby - that is the sort of colt he is.

A 10% share in him is $16,350 +GST - a 5% share is $8,175 +GST.

If you would like to be a part of the Te Akau Team, and be a part of a horse that I have chosen, that Jamie Richards trains and Opie Bosson rides, please give me a call on 021 925 151 or email my lovely wife Karyn - [email protected] 

We have a pretty exciting team of horses racing again this weekend at Taranaki and at Matamata on Sunday - there is plenty to look forward to.

Wednesday morning I had breakfast with Dean McKenzie of RITA (Racing Industry Transition Agency). 

Gee, we are lucky to have a guy of his ability running the industry. He is a very intelligent and articulate man - a very clear thinker, he is making really good progress. We are also very lucky to have Winston Peters as the Minister of Racing.

During my lifetime, Winston Peters as the Minister of Racing has achieved more for our industry than anyone else.

Once these changes are put into legislation mid-year, the industry will have at least another $25 million dollars which will be available annually in years to come to place into stakes. I can see in 18 months or two years' time there is good news just around the corner for the industry.

I would like to personally thank our wonderful owners for investing with us. Without you and your continued support and loyalty, we couldn't do this. Our owners, and my world class team who look after our horses, are the true heroes of this industry.    

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