Te Akau Monday Update

David writes:

What a thrill it was on Friday to sell the last share in the last yearling from Karaka.  It is an amazing feeling to have a job completely finished and to know we have such a magnificent group of horses to train going forward.

I would like to thank all our owners who have taken shares in these 30 yearlings.  We all can't thank you enough and now it is my team's job to bring out the very best in them.

And of course selling the last share means I can now have a well-earned drink, which I am really looking forward to .  No drink for seven weeks certainly helps you lose weight.  Plus it makes training a lot  easier.  A few years ago I built a gym and I have a personal trainer every morning for one hour so I try to keep very fit.

You wouldn't believe it but after all the fertiliser went on Te Aka Stud we have  had 42 mls of rain to wash it in - the farm is greening up very quickly - there is only one way to describe it - this is a fantastic season for growing grass.

Karyn went over to Sydney to see the boys Age of Fire and Mongolianconqueror run - the heavy track didn't help our two boys but I did think Mongolianconqueror went a super race and looks a real chance in the Derby in two weeks.

It was a very sad day for us on Saturday when we heard that Stephen Autridge's mum Gloria had passed away in her sleep overnight.  It was a tough day for Steve as he was in Sydney and I am sure I speak for everyone associated with Te Akau when I say that Karyn and I send our love and our heartfelt sympathies to Steve and Lynley and Gloria s entire family especially her husband Bob.

The weekend however did have some happy times as we our future son-in-law Hamish's celebrated his 30th birthday and also on Sunday it was the christening of my daughter Sarah and her husband Nick's wee man Benji.

Across the other side of the world we were also very proud of daughter Lydia who has been spearheading "Earth Hour" through her position with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in London.  This project went brilliantly she reports as thousands of landmarks across the globe switched off their lights in the world's biggest annual environmental event.  Earth Hour is organised by WWF and last year millions of people across 178 countries supported the action as a sign that they care about the future of the environment.   Well done Lydia, we know how much heart and soul you put into the event.

With all the horses sold our attention now turns to the Sydney sales at Easter which Jamie, Karyn and I will be attending so if you would like to be involved please email Karyn and get on the priority list.

This weekend we will be focussing on  Awapuni where we have three runners in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes.  Opie Bosson will be on Sword of Osman, Danielle Johnston on Avantage and Shafiq Rusof rides Handsome Rebel.

This coming weekend also sees our European based horse Torcedor step out in Dubai.  Trainer Jessica Harrington reports that he has travelled well and is a happy and settled horse - I will keep you updated on his progress this week.  How exciting will it be to see the Te Akau tangerine colours step out at Meydan for the Dubai World Cup meeting.