Te Akau Weekend Update

David writes:

Wasn't the Super 15 rugby final exciting last night? and what a well coached side the Chiefs are.  Winning the final for the second year in a row is an unbelievable achievement and one we are all very proud of here in the Waikato.  Wins such as this are a bit like Group races - they are achieved through strategy, dedication, passion, hard work and talent!

This morning I went right around the farm for the last time before we heard to Europe on Tuesday.  We are 80% through lambing and you wouldn't believe it, we actually need a bit of rain to freshen the grass and wash the fertiliser in that we put on last week.

Overall, July was remarkably warm and as a result, more grass was grown than normal.  The days are getting longer already and it won't be long until the grass really takes off - (although the Met Office has suggested some cold blasts are yet to come so we should be ready for those - Ed)!

Karyn and I fly out to London on Tuesday morning via Singapore.  We have a three hour stop over in Singapore before travelling on to London where we arrive at about 5.45am.  We are so excited about seeing our daughter Lydia who will be at the airport waiting for us - she is getting up at 3.30am to get to Heathrow to meet us before she goes to work - now that is dedication!

As everybody knows, Te Akau is a quiet place and is a long way from a town so Karyn and I really enjoy London where we try a different restaurant every night and generally do things that we can't do at home.  It is our one chance to have a break each year and we are looking forward to our seven days together in London before Karyn heads to Italy with Lydia and I am off to France and Germany for horse sales and other industry visits.

Tonight we will be watching the races at Kranji where we have five runners.  Mark was very close to adding to his tally of wins when three of our runners finished second on Friday night, very narrowly beaten indeed.  He does still lead the Trainers' Premiership in Singapore.

Last Friday I went to the Karaka Winter Sale where Rock 'n' Pop and Burgundy were paraded before the sale commenced.  I was thrilled with the number of top breeders who told me they are mating mares to these two stallions.

Five years ago I strongly advised breeders to send their mares to Darci Brahma - I wrote stories on our website about why he was a great choice - those who listened to me will be very happy with themselves - even at $40,000 he is great value.

If you want to send your mare to Rock 'n' Pop or Burgundy then be quick - it won't be long before both of these stallions are fully booked - the interest is high.

Yesterday I thought that there was some great racing at Riccarton for the first premier meeting of the new season.  It is the first days of the grand national meeting and I just love seeing a really good steeplechase.

Our only Riccarton runner was Thrive who I race with Ken Browne.  Ken is a stock buyer and one of the best judges of stock I have met.  He bred Thrive and I bought half of her out of the paddock on his farm just south of Hastings.  We were thrilled that she ran third in the Group 3 Winter Cup because not only did I back her at $4.50 for a place but she is now Group 3 placed, adding significantly to her value for her breeding future.

It is such an advantage for a mare on 53kgs to have Matt Cameron on and I thought that Matt was the difference between Thrive running 5th or 3rd.  Matt is off tonight to the US and Mexico with his partner Blair for a very well deserved and hard earned two week holiday and we wish them a great time!