Te Akau Travel Update

David writes:

I am still buzzing about Royal Ascot - it was a wonderful experience!  The crowds that attended for five consecutive days and what that takes for a track to be at its very best.

We just loved the way everyone gets so dressed up - it just so adds to the occasion!  Everyone treats the traditions of Ascot with so much respect, even the trainers wear top hats and morning suits.  And yes - they look like successful businesspeople, taking their jobs and roles very seriously.

However in New Zealand I often see today's trainers, even on a Saturday, not bothering to wear a tie.  I find this hard to believe and to me, it does nothing for the image of racing and is disrespectful to the sponsors, to owners  â€¦ I might be old-fashioned but a day at the races is a day to get dressed up to me and as people working in the industry and being its 'shop-front', we should look and be professional and give racing the best profile possible.

Another interesting fact is that the prize money isn't that high in England - really not too much different to New Zealand - however the cost of having a horse in work is about double.  There are though so many huge owners … breeders who put 100 fillies a year into work … say 20 with five different trainers and there are plenty of these sorts of people across Europe.

After Royal Ascot we  flew down to Portugal to land at Faro (main pic) airport and are staying at Quinta do Lago, a beautiful part of the world about 20 minutes from the airport.  The house where we are staying is surrounded by four golf courses and the climate is world-class with only about 10 inches of rain a year and that in November and December.

Last night a very successful English trainer came for dinner called William Haggas who is married to Lester Piggott's daughter Maureen. He was a very interesting and enjoyable person to chat with.  He won the English Derby with a colt having his first start for over seven months and it didn't even have a trial!  Now that wouldn't happen in New Zealand ... an unbelievable training performance! I just love talking to these good trainers about how they train their horses.

Today we are off to Ireland for the Derby then back in London for a week. Our two daughters are currently at the Glastonbury Festival  and we will be seeing them on Monday night. Last night we had going a special celebration as it is our 11^th wedding anniversary.  Yes Karyn and DC have now been married for 11 great years - the best 11 of my life!!

Mark has a big team in this weekend in Singapore and is hoping for more success, while at home we only have the one runner but we are really starting to gear up for the new season and we could have 45 horses to trial at Te Teko on 4 August - can't wait!