Te Akau Tuesday Update

Te Akau Racing has today made the following announcement:

Te Akau Racing was established in 1987 and has produced 25 Group 1 winners and has bought or trained the winners of 23 Champion titles including five NZB Filly of the Year' winners.  With successful stables in New Zealand and Singapore, where four-time NZ Trainer of the Year Mark Walker leads the Premiership, Te Akau is a truly international operation.  In the past 12 months Te Akau Racing has won over 100 races for its owners.

From early May, Te Akau Racing in New Zealand will be led by the training partnership of two-time Premiership winner and multiple Group 1 winning trainer Stephen Autridge, to be joined by Jamie Richards, Te Akau Racing's Racing Manager. Current Te Akau New Zealand trainer Jason Bridgman has made the decision to be involved with a smaller team, committing more time to his young family.

“We are sorry to farewell Jason.  He has been a very good trainer in his four and a half years with us in Matamata, training top flight horses such as Group 1 winners Rock ‘n' Pop, King's Rose and Costa Viva (both  NZB Fillies of the Year), together with other high calibre performers in Champion 2YO Warhorse and others,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“We respect Jason's wish to spend more quality time with Stacey and their two children.  Leading a successful stable is a demanding, seven day a week role.  We are looking forward to continuing to work with Jason at some level which will be finalised in the weeks ahead.”

THE NEW AUTRIDGE/RICHARDS TEAM

It's a return to “familiar territory” for former Group 1 winning jockey STEPHEN AUTRIDGE, who is also a multiple Group 1 winning trainer.

A talented and knowledgeable horseman, Stephen rode some outstanding horses during his riding career.  The most notable being former star age-group galloper Altitude, whose eight wins from 11 starts included the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas, Group 1 Levin Classic, Group 2 Great Northern Guineas and Group 2 Avondale Guineas.  Altitude won seven races in a row and was favourite for the Group 1 NZ Derby when he sadly died.  Stephen also won a Group 1 Wellington Cup on Ruanuku and rode Extra Flash to Group 1 Telegraph Handicap victory.

Stephen first came to work at Te Akau Stud in 1987.  After 18 months, he went to Australia to work as stable foreman for Paul Sutherland who at the time lay second on the Sydney Trainers' Premiership.  Two years later, Stephen began training on his own account in Sydney before returning to New Zealand in 1992 to become Te Akau Racing's Head Trainer.

Stephen made an instant impact with Pure Note being the first of many winners during his five year tenure.  Races such as the Group 1 Zabeel Classic, Group 1 Queensland Oaks, Group 2 Avondale Guineas and Group 2 Great Northern Guineas were amongst the many other Te Akau Racing victories on his watch - in fact in his final year with Te Akau Racing, the stable was the only stable in the southern hemisphere to win Group 1 races on both sides of Tasman.

Stephen Autridge has trained 755 winners, 55 of those at Group/Listed level, including Fayreform and Lashed who both won three consecutive Group 1 races.  Singalong and Taatletail were both NZB Fillies of the Year while Keeninsky was a Champion 2YO who went on the win the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap as a 3YO.  Stephen's other Group 1 winners include Queensland Oaks' winner Crystal Palace, Captain Moonlight and A Touch of Ruby who won the Thorndon Mile in 2014.

“Having Stephen return to Te Akau is a huge thrill.  He is one of the best horsemen you will find, both as a rider and as a trainer. He really understands the thoroughbred and knows what it takes to win Group races. His years of experience will be a huge asset to Te Akau Racing,” said David Ellis.

The winner of three New Zealand Trainers' Premiership titles Stephen said:

“It's great to be back at Te Akau Racing and Lynley and I are thoroughly looking forward to joining the team. I have 1000 winners in my sights, some more Premierships and I would like to train the Derby winner having been runner up twice and missing out with Altitude all those years ago. The calibre of the horses in the stable, combined with the quality of our staff, means that we have very exciting times ahead.”

Joining Stephen in this new training partnership will be JAMIE RICHARDS, well known to Te Akau Racing owners and the wider industry.

“Jamie's credentials are outstanding and he has a huge future with Te Akau Racing and in our industry,” said David Ellis.

Jamie joined Te Akau Racing as Racing Manager in March 2014. He grew up with horses from an early age and was always destined to be involved in the industry one way or another. Jamie's father Paul was a successful jockey in the South Island and is now a successful trainer.  Jamie graduated from the Otago University with a degree in Management and Accounting (BCom) before completing a postgraduate diploma in Marketing. While at university, Jamie spent time working for Pencarrow Racing when Te Akau's Mark Walker headed that team.

Jamie was awarded a Sunline Scholarship by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.  He was based at Newmarket where he regularly rode work for Sir Michael Stoute then worked at the prestigious Cheveley Park where he spent time learning how to foal mares, foal handling skills and becoming familiar with the resident stallions. He also attended the night classes at the English National Stud. From there he went to Coolmore Stud in Ireland, followed by a yearling preparation at Taylor Made in Lexington, USA where he also worked at the Saratoga Sale and world-renowned Keeneland Yearling Sale.  Jamie then returned to New Zealand working for New Zealand Bloodstock and Waikato Stud before joining Te Akau Racing.  He has also enjoyed success as an amateur rider with nine race day rides for four wins including a win aboard Highly Likely in the Te Akau tangerine!

Mark Walker added: “When I was a young guy I was stable foreman to Steve and I can say without doubt that I learned so much from him, he passed on so much knowledge to me.  He is a great trainer who I have tremendous regard for and I think he and Jamie will be a huge success.”

David Ellis concluded:

“I am really am excited to welcome Stephen back to the Te Akau team.  Stephen and Te Akau go back a long way and his outstanding record speaks for itself.  Added to Steve's years and depth of experience will be the emerging talent of Jamie Richards.  I also think we have the best staff we have had in the history of Te Akau - Pam Gerard (assistant trainer), Steve O'Neill (foreman) and Jeff Dore (stable manager).  This combination will be a formidable and successful one for our owners.”

For further information please contact:

David Ellis - Principal - Te Akau Racing
Tel: +64 7 825 4701