Te Akau Weekend Update

David writes:

Gee it is a very exciting time of the year!

Today I have been busy on the farm with new people who want to invest in our great industry.  Yes it is incredible how many people at present want to get involved in racing and breeding and I am flat out buying the right horses to keep up with the interest and demand.

Last night I got back from the Gold Coast after attending the Magic Millions' Yearling Sale.  The sale was a huge success and it was good to see first-hand what great heart the Australian racing and breeding industry is in.  The breeders that invested in good quality families are being richly rewarded.  The average price was A$200,000 with an unbelievable clearance rate of over 90%.

From where I sit, racing is being very well administered in New South Wales and Victoria, with the government(s) recognising the importance of both the racing and breeding industries to the general economy - this then encourages breeders and business people to invest in good pedigrees and they are definitely improving their genetic pool.

Good Group 1 winning colts that show top form as two year olds are selling for A$30-A$50 million as future stallions and this is probably the reason why there has been so much interest from the leading studs to buy into Xtravagant.

The Te Akau team of Mark Walker, Jamie Richards and myself bought nine horses at the Gold Coast - five colts and four fillies - ranging from A$40,000 - A$480,000.

The shares are selling very quickly (in fact two horses are already sold) and I don't believe that anything will be left to sell within the next week or so, so if you want to get involved please call me or email Karyn ([email protected]) because otherwise you will be disappointed.

Although it was a great sale, I am still really looking forward to working at Karaka.  New Zealand Bloodstock has the world's best facilities and hospitality and again we are going to be very active.  We will be buying lots of horses at Karaka from $20,000 to some of the best yearlings in the sale.

This is a great time to get involved with our industry and with Te Akau Racing - and if you want to invest in a top filly with breeding potential I am happy to discuss a strategy with you. You might as well bid with me than against me!

This week I have Monday and Tuesday on the farm then I spend three days looking at the studs in the Cambridge area, finishing up with Cambridge Stud on Friday then it's off to Wellington on Friday afternoon.

I must mention that when I was carrying out my inspections before heading to Australia, it was great to have the chance to again catch up with Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum -we were both at Waikato Stud.  Brendon is an outstanding New Zealander and is passionate about his racing - he's a great ambassador for our sport.  We were delighted to be entrusted with both of his Vermair Racing's Ready to Run purchases - we are just thrilled to be involved and look forward to them joining the stable soon.  They are two lovely horses!

 
We are organising a function for our Wellington owners and the owners of Xtravagant on Friday evening before we go to Trentham on Saturday. In line with the support we like to give to the industry, Te Akau Racing is also sponsoring the 2YO race at Trentham that day.

Then on Saturday night Karyn flies back to Auckland as she hosts "Weigh In" the next morning and on Sunday I am back to the farm and then we go and live in Auckland for 12 days for the sales.  Karyn calls it our "re-location" time!

We have had brilliant rain on the farm - just on Friday we had 30mls and you wouldn't believe how green the farm looks and the cattle are just steaming!  We have started breaking in the first 2 home-breds and will start on another six this week.

Finally - this time of the year is "harvest time" for potential race horses.  It is the most important time of the year as the horses we buy will shape our next stage of success in the next 12 months and beyond.

If you want to be involved with a fun team that warmly welcomes you and treats you with respect, please call Karyn or me on 07 825 4701 or email Karyn ([email protected]) - you will be made to very much feel part of our family.

Te Akau Racing is on fire in New Zealand and on Friday our co-trainer Stephen Autridge saddled up our 50th winner for the season - a remarkable achievement!  In New Zealand Te Akau leads the Trainers' Premiership for wins, Group and Listed wins and stake money won.  We are the first stable to pass $1 million in prize money this season. Combine this with Mark Walker being the 2015 Champion Trainer of Singapore - there's no better team to be part of!