Racing: Te Akau to open Singapore stable in January

David Ellis is excited about opening a stable in Singapore. Photo / Christine Cornege

New Zealand's leading thoroughbred operation, Te Akau Racing Stables, has gone global.

Champion trainer Mark Walker will spearhead a Te Akau operation in Singapore, starting on January 1.

In releasing details yesterday, principal David Ellis said the exciting new move would take Te Akau to a new level.

Last week, Walker established a training record for New Zealand of 106 wins and the local arm of Te Akau at Matamata will remain unchanged, except Jason Bridgman will take over as trainer and Opie Bosson will return as No 1 rider to the stable where his headlining career began.

Bottom line of the expansion, says Ellis, is greater returns for Te Akau stable clients.

"I've been saying for the last 18 months that going international is the future of racing.

"We looked at all the options and Singapore is going to provide the best client returns.

"There is a A$40,000 [$49,200] minimum stake through to A$3 million for their best race.

"We looked closely at Hong Kong, but, of course, our clients are not allowed to race their horses there."

Ellis points to one of last season's Te Akau local 3-year-olds, Noble Manor, as an example of the financial returns from Singapore.

"He won only one race here, but since he's been in Singapore he's won more than A$500,000."

Ellis does not see this move as simply sending horses to race in another country, he says Te Akau views it as a complete extension of the stable-client relationship.

"These days, a stable client can get on a Singapore flight at 2.30pm and be in Singapore by 7.30pm local time if their horse is racing.

"And Singapore is such a handy location from which to campaign horses at the international meetings, like Dubai and Hong Kong."

Answering questions about the timing of the announcement when rumours have abounded regarding the shift, Ellis said: "The licensing for Singapore is complicated. The application first has to have approval by the Malayan Racing Association then that goes to the Singapore Turf Club.

"If their approval is granted, then it comes down to allocation of boxes.

"The protocol is such that it has to be released officially by the Malayan Racing Association and they have just given the okay on that."

Te Akau and Mark Walker have been granted 40 boxes for the first year, increasing to 60 for the second year.

Ellis said inquiries to have horses with Mark Walker in Singapore had already been substantial.

New Zealand Bloodstock's boss, Peter Vela, added his company's support to the move.

"With Singapore's burgeoning racing scene becoming so significant to New Zealand breeders, to have New Zealand's champion trainer joining the already formidable force of the Kiwi training contingent is a great result for the New Zealand industry."

Singapore Turf Club's vice-president racing, South African Mike Wanklin, is delighted.

"Mark's training record speaks for itself and he brings with him outstanding credentials. I'm sure he's going to be a great success here in Singapore."

Despite concern in some quarters about potential financial returns in New Zealand in the short term, Ellis said the response to Te Akau had shown no downturn.

"We have already fully syndicated the 46 rising 2-year-olds we bought this year, many more than any other syndicator and as a result our team for the spring will be our strongest yet from our bases in Matamata and Rangiora.

"We have just set a record for the highest number of wins for a season and we are certainly not turning our backs on New Zealand - just the opposite."

Opie Bosson's appointment is interesting. Bosson is running down the premiership lead of Te Akau's current retained jockey James McDonald, now riding in Ireland.

Indications are that McDonald will not return to New Zealand before the end of the season to defend that lead, suggesting he may well end up riding elsewhere, perhaps Singapore.

Bosson is delighted to be back where it all started.

"I've seen the list of horses Te Akau has for the start of the new season and I can't wait," he said yesterday. "I went to Te Akau when I was 14 and my first winner was in the tangerine colours."

TE AKAU RACING

* New Zealand's most powerful galloping stable will have a Singapore arm from January 1.
* Mark Walker, who last week set a 106-win training record, will relocate to train in Singapore.
* The New Zealand operation will be headed by Jason Bridgman.
* Outstanding rider Opie Bosson will become Te Akau's No 1 jockey.

BRIDGMAN TO PICK UP REINS

Don't be fooled by Jason Bridgman's number of wins when judging his experience.

David Ellis and Mark Walker knew how talented the 38-year-old was a decade ago. "Jason was our stable foreman 10 years ago and we were devastated when he left, but we understood his desire to gain more international experience," said Ellis.

"Ten years ago, Mark and I went to Europe to observe the best trainers at work and during those two months Jason ticked the stable over like clockwork."

Bridgman (pictured) spent time in Britain with Clive Brittain and Dermott Weld, and with Francois Doumen in France.

In the United States, he was assistant trainer to Niall O'Callaghan at Churchill Downs and rode work for Dale Romans and Todd Pletcher.

Returning home to Matamata, he was foreman for one year with Graham Richardson and trained in partnership at the same stable for two years.

"I have great faith in Jason to keep Te Akau's name to the forefront," said Mark Walker. "He is an unbelievably talented horseman. He will be a huge asset."