Welcome to Te Akau Brendon

The Informant reports:

In a brief let-up from intense Cricket World Cup preparations, Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum added to his fledgling Vermair Racing operation with a purchase at Karaka this afternoon.

Mapperley Stud's Lot 171, by No Excuse Needed out of the Group Two winner Singing Star, was sold to Te Akau principal David Ellis for $100,000. But a subsequent agreement has seen Vermair Racing secure a significant share in the bay filly.

“Brendon McCullum has taken a leg in the filly and she will race in his Vermair Racing colours,” Ellis said.

“I'm absolutely over the moon, because I'm a huge cricket fan and supporter of Brendon's. I greatly admire the way he has been able to lift the New Zealand cricket team to an all-time high. To have him in the stable is a huge thrill for us.”

No Excuse Needed has enjoyed particular success with his female progeny, headed by the Group One-winning feats of Waikato Stud mares Daffodil and I Do.

The Danasinga mare Singing Star won eight races in her career, two at stakes level. Under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Jim Gibbs, she defeated Derby winner St Reims in landing a career-best victory in the Gr. 2 Waikato Gold Cup.

Singing Star has transferred that success into the broodmare paddock, producing two winnners including the Gr. 3 Lowland Stakes winner and Gr. 1 New Zealand Oaks-placed Miss Selby.

The filly was one of 13 yearlings purchased by Ellis on the first day of the Premier session for a total of $1.9 million.