Te Akau's Terrific Team

Once again we throw the spotlight on one of our highly talented and experienced Te Akau team stars ....

A native of County Kerry in Ireland, senior Te Akau staff member Stephen O'Neil recalls getting his first taste of thoroughbred racing as a young boy.

“My brothers and I would go to the races when they came to town. We would have a punt and that was a big deal for us,” he says.

The middle child of three boys, Steve attended university in Cork, conveniently close to his uncle Philip O'Connor - a trainer. He managed to complete his studies while working full time for his uncle and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Geography - with Honours.

“I was lucky to have my uncle in Cork and I went to work for him. I worked mornings, afternoons and weekends. That's where I really got my start in racing. After I graduated, I went travelling in Australia and ended up with a job as foreman for Michael Grant in Perth. I liked Perth a lot and stayed for two years.”

From Perth, Steve ended up in the Flemington stable of Mike Moroney.

“Australian racing is world class and I was lucky enough to be looking after Monaco Consul when he won the Victorian Derby and the Spring Championship Stakes. He was a special horse and I'm looking forward to seeing his young stock at the races,” he says.

The Ballymore stable brought him to New Zealand where his hard work and dedication have kept him from visiting home, with his last trip being three years ago. Even so, the countryside and racing remind him of home, but with better weather in the summer.

“I'm hoping to get home sometime in the next year. My brothers don't work in racing but they like to follow it, and it will be nice to see my parents.”

Steve has now been in New Zealand for four years, having joined up with the Te Akau team early last year. Taking a position with the stable was a no-brainer for him.

“When you see the quality of the horses that David Ellis buys and the people that he puts in charge of the operation like Jason and Pam, you want to be a part of it. There is a very high standard and professionalism in everything they do, from caring for the horses to looking after the owners.”

Having developed through experience a good idea of what makes a top race horse, Steve keeps a close eye on the young stock.

“We have a lot of potential in the stable and I'm looking forward to the new season and seeing our young ones beginning their spring campaigns, especially Rockfast and the Guillotine - Clearbrook Lane filly. Of the yearlings, I particularly like the Savabeel - Legs colt. I hope to help achieve a lot with Te Akau and these horses, and it would be great to be a part of winning the premiership.”

Steve is pictured with All Decked Out at the recent Te Teko trials - story & picture credit Stacey Bridgman