The Te Akau Year that Was - 2015

THE YEAR THAT WAS - IN MAYBE TWO MINUTES!

It has been quite a year - 2015 - one that won't be forgotten.  As we write this we have one more day in New Zealand where Te Akau Racing will line up starters - but notwithstanding that, Te Akau Racing has this calendar year trained 150 winners across our two stables. 

That is a tremendous feat and we are delighted with achieving this success for our incredibly loyal owners.

It all began in …

JANUARY

A new year and a new season in Singapore while in New Zealand, five months of the season had been raced.

The Singapore season started with a flourish - and the way Mark intended to keep it all year - on a winning high.  Jimmy Rea (one of our Singapore stable stars - below) together with Jefferson Bay and Bazinga provided a winning treble on the first day of the 2015 season with one of the headline acts in our Singapore stable, My Lucky Strike winning four days later making it four starts, four wins.

The main focus at this time of the year in New Zealand is yearling inspection as the team travels far and wide looking for the next champions to buy and have to train in our stable.

There was however another wonderful occasion - the marriage of David's eldest daughter Joanna to Leon so a very special January wedding.

In New Zealand Arpeggio and 2YO's Unsurpassed and Special Memories saluted the judge while Te Akau Singapore trained 10 January winners - Jimmy Rea, Jefferson Bay and Bazinga (New Year's Day treble), My Lucky Strike, Iking, Clermont Club, and another treble at the month's conclusion - Mala Mala, Jimmy Rea and Ready Fortune.

At the end of the first month of 2015, Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker led the Trainers' Premiership.

FEBRUARY

Busy, busy, busy - shares flying out of the window in our Karaka horses!

Our focus every February is on offering the shares in the brilliant young horses that the team has secured from Karaka - this we do morning, ‘noon and night - as of course David lives out his alcohol-free-until-sold philosophy!

Te Akau Racing also attended and supported the inaugural Open Day at Karaka about a fortnight after the sale - we paraded two horses and had plenty of shares subsequently snapped up.

A big winning month in Singapore with Free Happy, My Lucky Strike, Om and Aspen (double), Jimmy Rea, Keen Dragon, Clermont Club and Soul Commander (a treble), Alpha Centauri and Catch Me Great (double), Sebrose and Storm Trooper - all saluting the Kranji judge.

Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker led the Singapore Trainers' Premiership at the end of February.

MARCH

A busy month as the last of our shares in our Karaka Sale horses were sold.  Speaking of Karaka, our former Listed Karaka Mile winner Spellbinder (below) was back to her best winning at Te Rapa.

March was also the month when our talented Singapore apprentice Shafiq Rusof rode his 100^th career winner.

To see three winners at Kranji on 22 March was a huge thrill - Chase, Dane's Anatomy and Clermont Club - with Clutha Lad winning just two days prior.

Winners for the month were all from Singapore - Alpha Centauri (below), Kam's Comet, Clutha Lad and Secret Spice (together with the winning treble of Chase, Dane's Anatomy and Clermont Club).

No surprises - as you would see for the whole year - Te Akau trainer Mark Walker finished the month with a double figure lead on the Singapore Trainers' Premiership.

APRIL

In New Zealand the month started with no April's Fools' joke as Astrid and 2YO Scrutinize (below) provided the Matamata stable with a winning double.  In Singapore, the Kiwi owned Sebrose and Jimmy Rea started the month off in fabulous style, both convincing winners at Kranji.

The Sydney Easter Sale was calling and the Te Akau team returned with two horses to sell and both were sold within days - the first a Smart Missile filly (who would go on to be her sire's first ever winner and then stakes' winner worldwide) now named Sassy ‘n' Smart and Royal O'Reilly - a lovely O'Reilly colt who is making super progress.  We also bought a Redoute's Choice filly out of the top race mare Scarlett Lady and she will also be trained by Te Akau.

There were Kiwi and Singapore doubles with Shillelagh and Imperium stepping up in New Zealand while it was Von Snitzel and Chase in Singapore (the first of two doubles for Mark this month).

The Listed Warstep Stakes was claimed by the Te Akau trained No Tricks (above) and then two weeks later, the second black type win for the New Zealand stable for April came in the Group 2 Travis Stakes at Te Rapa when Abidewithme (below) gave rider Michael McNab his first ever black type success.

Future glamour colt Xtravagant (below) won his 2YO debut at Hastings by 7.25 lengths - looking back - a real sign of things to come!!  Talented filly Smashing also lived up to her name winning stylishly.

Te Akau stable rider Matthew Cameron posted his 100^th win for the season!

The Group 1 Lion City Cup at Kranji was won by War Affair who was selected and purchased by David from Karaka for $70,000.  He was also last season's Champion 3YO, Champion Miler, Champion Media Horse and Singapore Horse of the Year.

At the end of April, Te Akau Racing in New Zealand announced that a new training partnership would be taking over at the helm with the return of former trainer Stephen Autridge being joined by Te Akau's Racing Manager Jamie Richards.

Mark Walker continued his winning way preparing Jimmy Rea, Sebrose, Von Snitzel and Chase (a double), Eaton's Gold and Kam's Comet (another double) and Catch Me Great.

Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker remained the leading Singapore trainer.

MAY

The month began with the changing of the guard as Te Akau New Zealand's new training combination took over the reins - Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

An undoubted event that we look forward to every two years is our Singapore Sojourn and this year was no different with 24 of us making the trip - so much fun and Sebrose delivering on cue - so plenty of celebrating!

At the end of the month, our new training partnership scored their first black type together for the stable - in fact, Jamie's first ever as a trainer.  This came courtesy of Stella di Paco, the upset winner of the Listed Castletown Stakes (below).

Kranji winners for May were Deluge and Jimmy Rea (a double - Deluge finished second but months later was promoted after a lengthy inquiry into the winner), Affirmation, Fast Rich, Sebrose and Dreamcatcher.

By month's end, yes, Mark Walker was still leading the Singapore Trainers' Premiership.

JUNE

Away on their annual holiday David and Karyn - together with daughters Lydia and Julia-Rose and her partner Hamish - attended Royal Ascot.  David also flew to Ireland to take in the Group 1 Irish Derby.

June saw Te Akau Racing achieve four winners in less than 48 hours with Kam's Comet (below), Keen Dragon and Prince Mag (Singapore) together with Opulent (NZ) winning well towards the end of the month.

Our New Zealand apprentice Daniel Miller who is a highly talented jumps' rider achieved glory winning the Manawatu Steeplechase over 4400m while in Singapore, our apprentice Shafiq Rusof was also in winning mode.  “Suppy” as we know him recorded five wins on the Sunday Kranji card - a milestone in the career of our apprentice who has already been a Champion Singapore apprentice and looked set to repeat that feat!

Aside from Opulent in New Zealand, with Sacred Spin, Molly Browne, My Lucky Strike, Appellation and Free Happy (a double), Kam's Comet and Prince Mag and Keen Dragon (another double) all recording June wins - Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker was still in front on the Singapore Trainers' Premiership.

JULY

The final month of the season in New Zealand is usually not as busy - tracks have become winter bogs in many cases and the vast majority of our horses do not like running under those conditions.  Hence they have been enjoying spelling or getting ready to trial in August with the early trials at Te Teko which are always a very busy time for the team.

Opulent was the domestic star of the end of the season, winning twice in the space of a fortnight in late June and again early July.  While the northern hemisphere summer saw Torcedor (bought by David at the Deauville sale in France and trained by David Wachman in Ireland - below) break maiden ranks and win well in the Te Akau tangerine at The Curragh.

Te Akau stable rider Matthew Cameron won the Jockeys' Premiership for the second time (back to back) and was nominated for the Champion Jockey of the Year award.

In New Zealand we congratulated the owners of Bettorock and Opulent while our Singapore winners in July were Prince Mag and My Lucky Strike (a double), Zac Gallant and Kam's Comet (another double) as well as Alpha Centauri.

It was a case of 50 wins on the board and $2 million in stakes achieved for Te Akau Singapore's stable as Mark Walker remained comfortably well ahead on the Singapore Trainers' Premiership.

AUGUST

It was “Happy Birthday” to all our horses as on 1 August they all officially became one year older.

This new month of the brand new season in New Zealand is traditionally a quiet month for the stable with most of our good horses preparing to trial - as we await better racing surfaces.  Te Akau's first team of six runners re-located to the South Island to prepare for NZ Cup Carnival racing - and what would unfold was simply spectacular success.

We did however in New Zealand have trials everywhere - many postponed and abandoned which didn't make planning that easy but we surmounted those challenges and started gearing up our Kiwi team for their new preps.

Our first foal, a Darci filly, came into the world - the first of about 30 we have welcomed.

Our stable rider Matthew Cameron was named Champion Jockey of the Year at the annual racing awards, his second consecutive title.

In Singapore amongst the winners was My Lucky Strike (below) who notched up his seventh win for Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker.

The month ended on a high with two doubles - in New Zealand Scrutinize and Love Triangle scored their second and first career wins respectively and in Singapore Fine Choice and Our River Dancer - all four were bought by David and all won in 24 hours!

Additional Singapore winners to My Lucky Strike included Hee'es Ego, King Savinsky and Keen Dragon (a double) and Our River Dancer and Fine Choice (another double).

At the end of August, Te Akau Racing was the leading stable in New Zealand and in Singapore.

SEPTEMBER

A black type month in New Zealand for Te Akau with Windborne (below) emulating her full sister Darci's Dream when winning the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes - and stablemate Princess Davone was a gallant third.  Windborne was bred by David and Karyn and this victory was her second at stakes' level.

Speaking of breeding, we had foals coming out of our ears in September - arriving thick and fast, the breeding season is always so exciting - especially to see the little Burgundy's, Darci's and Rock ‘n' Pop's which hold a special place for us with all of these Group 1 winning stallions being purchased/syndicated and trained by Te Akau.

Internationally, the Te Akau colours continued their European success with Torcedor, the Fastnet Rock gelding, winning well on Irish St Leger day - a huge thrill.  This race had a stake of 150,000 euros and this gelding out of a full sister to Yeats has now raced six times for two wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth placing.

Torcedor's win made it four wins in three countries in 36 hours for Te Akau!

Our Member of Parliament Barbara Kuriger and fellow MP Todd Barclay (who took over Deputy Prime Minister Bill English's electorate) came to visit Te Akau Stud and take time to hear from David and Karyn about the racing industry and the challenges it faces.  It was great to show them Te Akau Stud including the 75 new trees that had been planted over recent weeks.

Aside from Windborne we saw a Te Rapa double with Imperium and Tatters while Risque, Princess Davone, Interstellar, Thetruthisoutthere and Love Actually cruised to victory in New Zealand - Brahms & Liszt, Our River Dancer and Indian Jade (a double), The Cosmos, Q Nine Magic and Ready Fortune “did the business' in Singapore.

At the end of September, Te Akau Racing was leading both the New Zealand and Singapore Trainers' Premierships.

OCTOBER

October was the month where the two Te Akau stables celebrated 100 winners in 2015 for our owners.

The winning of the Group 3 El Dorado Classic in Singapore was a huge highlight for the team in October - Sebrose had been bought by David at the Gold Coast Sale and has really hit his straps in Singapore.  It was a wonderful moment too for young Australian rider Tim Bell who would so tragically lose his life in November - we have been constantly thinking about these difficult days for his family and friends.

In New Zealand that same weekend we saw Sassy ‘n' Smart win on debut, joined in the winner's circle by Opulent, Xtravagant (winning the Guineas' Trial at Trentham), Vive La Difference and Risque continuing her 1000 Guineas' countdown when charging home to win the Listed Armadillo Stakes at Riccarton.

Yes five winners on one day!

Astrid, Bishop Rock, Osmunda, Madam Jamais, Lady Painton, Special Memories, Flaming, Highly Likely and Duchess Kate all won in New Zealand and in Singapore we saw Q Nine Maxim, Asprey, Rockfast, Zac Command, Secret Spice, Sebrose (Group 3 - below) and Iking do the same.

At the end of October, Te Akau was the leading stable in both New Zealand and Singapore.

NOVEMBER

This month was massive for the Te Akau New Zealand team - we took 11 horses south for the NZ Cup Carnival and lead up - they raced 36 times for 17 wins - with every horse winning at least one race.  The highlight of course were the FIVE Group and Listed races won in Canterbury - Windborne claiming the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes, Risque dominant in the Listed Armadillo Stakes, Sassy ‘n' Smart winning the Listed Welcome Stakes, Xtravagant so supreme in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (giving co-trainer Jamie Richards his first ever Group 1 success) and Risque brilliant in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas.

In fact on the final day of the carnival, Te Akau had horses entered in four races - and won every single one.  Te Akau has now won nine Group 1 Guineas' races in the past 12 years - five 2000 and four 1000 Guineas - a record of success unmatched by any other stable.

It was great to see Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, our New Zealand trainers, win the Trainers' Carnival prize too!

Another highlight of November was our South Island Owners' Event in Christchurch - a lovely day in the Canterbury sun with our great southern supporters.

After Riccarton is was “sale time” again and two colts were purchased from the Ready to Run Sale - one by Savabeel and one by Iffraaj and both sold very quickly indeed, as is now always the norm.  In further exciting news, Brendon McCullum's Vermair Racing entrusted Te Akau to train two colts purchased by them from the sale - a great privilege.

The winning continued in Singapore and the stakes won there climbed to over $4 million!

In addition to the aforementioned winners - Vive La Difference, Flaming, Smashing, Shillelagh, Silverdale, Our Drahma Queen, Bordeaux, Madam Jamais all won in New Zealand, while in Singapore it was Jimmy Rea, King Savinsky, Idyllic Scenery, Kam's Comet, Ready Fortune and Brahms & Liszt.

At the end of November - Te Akau was the leading the Trainer's Premierships in both New Zealand and Singapore.

DECEMBER

The undoubted highlight of this month - and probably the whole year - was Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker wrapping up his first Singapore Trainers' Premiership with 86 wins with almost $5 million in stakes won.  A huge effort and an incredible achievement in only five years - Mark is now a five time New Zealand Champion Trainer as well now a Singapore Champion Trainer - we are so proud of him and Julia, Gus and Karen and the whole team.  A shout out too to our Singapore apprentice Shafiq Rusof (Suppy) who also well and truly blitzed his opposition in the apprentice premiership.

One of the early month's highlights came on 5 December when Mark trained a winning treble of Idyllic Scenery, My Lucky Strike and Our Touche - there were plenty of winning doubles too for our Singapore team and a new venture by us.  For the first time we posted a live blog with race by race updates on the final night of the Singapore season as we followed the excitement of Mark confirming his winning trainer status.

Our Te Akau North Island Owners' Event was enjoyed at the Matamata racecourse for the first time - included in the sights to be seen were parades by Xtravagant and Scrutinize who now hold favouritism for the AJC and NZ Derbies respectively.

Scrutinize (above) became the favourite for the New Zealand Derby with a scintillating Awapuni win while pin-up boy Xtravagant also continued to attract hundreds of admirers - in fact thousands - a video clip of him on Te Akau's Facebook page has had almost 25,000 views before year end.

Xtravagant continued to impress (below) - as the star of a TV3 news' story by Hamish McKay and then on the track on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

Astrid also won on Boxing Day but at Awapuni and in a tight quinella with stablemate Opulent.  Also impressive was the third win by Shillelagh who is now three wins from three starts.

In December Te Akau New Zealand also hit the magical $1 million in stakes for our owners and that winning roll will certainly continue into the new season.

Other December winners included a Hawkes Bay treble with Hushed, Latin Rose and Arpeggio saluting the judge - also in the New Zealand winner's circle were Duchess Kate, Chadsdale, Bordeaux, Red Poppy and Vinevale while in Singapore line honours went to Idyllic Scenery, My Lucky Strike, Our Touche, Court Case, Viviano, Lady Iffraaj and Clutha Lad.

At the month - and the year end - Te Akau Racing was the leading stable in both New Zealand and Singapore!  This is only possible with your incredible support!

 

On the road to success, the rule is to always to look ahead. May you reach your destination and may your journey be wonderful.  A new year is like a blank book and the pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story.

 

Happy New Year from everyone at Te Akau Racing and Te Akau Stud

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