Joe Bloggs Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Whoda thought it......Walker back to NZ........might regret it young fella, when China takes Taiwan.........ducking and diving then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 According to the Te Akau Owners newsletter Jamie has been invited to train in Hong Kong, Mark Walker is returning to NZ and Donna Logan is taking over training Te Akau Singapore Love TA or hate them Jamie Richards has done extremely well. He is bred for the job but to be invited to HK at 30 years old is amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Mark Walker Returns to NZ – Jamie Richards Invited to Train in Hong Kong 17 DEC 2021 Te Akau’s Mark Walker, nine-time Champion trainer, is set to return to New Zealand to once again lead Te Akau’s New Zealand operation. Te Akau Racing can confirm that the five-time New Zealand and four-time Singapore Champion trainer will return in the New Year with current Te Akau New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards being invited by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to join its training ranks in 2022. Te Akau Principal David Ellis CNZM said: “We are delighted on two fronts – firstly it is an honour that Te Akau’s New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards has been invited to train in Hong Kong on the back of his success with Te Akau Racing. Jamie commenced his training career in May 2015 – it all started with Te Akau and I am certainly very proud that his, and the stable’s, success has been recognised internationally. It’s an incredible and rare opportunity for this young New Zealander and we all wish him every success as he pursues his dream of being the world’s best trainer. “I sat down with Jamie in 2014 when he was Te Akau’s Racing Manager and asked him what he wanted to do in the industry. He told me he wanted to be a trainer. I said: ‘if you want to be a successful trainer, work hard and give your career your heart and soul. If you do, I will support you every step of the way, and give you every opportunity’. Jamie has a great work ethic, he took up that challenge. The rest is history: the results the Te Akau team has achieved are well known – last season we broke every New Zealand record – wins (160), stakes’ wins (36 NZ/4 Australia), Group 1 wins (15) and prize money (almost $8 million) won for owners.” Jamie Richards commented: “Being invited to train in Hong Kong is an incredible honour and it’s a dream come true to challenge myself against some of the world’s best. I owe so much to David (Ellis CNZM), Mark (Walker) and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM), there is no doubt that without Te Akau I would not be where I am today or have this international opportunity. They believed in me, mentored me, and surrounded me with a truly amazing team, as well as the very best of bloodstock, enabling me to develop my skill and passion as a trainer. “I am a proud New Zealander, and I won’t forget how New Zealand and leading Te Akau Racing has shaped me. I can’t wait to fly the Kiwi flag and be the very best ambassador possible for our industry in Hong Kong.” Mark Walker’s return to New Zealand comes after 11 very successful years at the helm of Te Akau Singapore. He has been Champion Trainer there four times in the past six years, to add to his major New Zealand achievements. Mark Walker said: “I am very excited to be returning to New Zealand to work with quality bloodstock again, alongside a world class team of people. I enjoy educating yearlings and seeing them develop into racehorses. In Singapore we have ‘ready-made’ racehorses so returning to work with these youngsters, as well as the calibre of Te Akau’s older horses, will give me enormous satisfaction. “I have remained closely involved in Te Akau’s New Zealand operation while being in Singapore and with the quality of horses David (Ellis) buys, it’s wonderful to be involved with the New Zealand industry again. “ Walker, who has worked for David Ellis since he left school, and is today a partner in the Te Akau operation, still holds a number of New Zealand training records: When he won his first NZ Trainers’ Premiership, he was the youngest trainer ever to do so. Before relocating to establish Te Akau’s Singapore stable in 2010, he set a New Zealand record for the highest number of two-year-old wins in a season (23) with 16 individual two-year-olds – this record stands today. In 2010 he established a new record for wins in a season, beating the previous 17-year record. New Zealand has only staged two $2 million races – he trained the winner (Princess Coup) of both. He trained many elite Group 1 winning racehorses including King’s Chapel, Maroofity, Darci Brahma, Distinctly Secret and Princess Coup – the latter still holding the New Zealand record for domestic prizemoney won. David Ellis continued: “Mark Walker is an outstanding trainer who has been working with me since he was 18. He must be one of the only trainers in the world to win nine Trainers’ Premierships across two countries. He is an exceptional training talent, one of the finest horsemen you will ever find, and with Mark back at the helm, you can be assured that Te Akau will continue to play a major role in the industry. We have big plans.” The news of Mark Walker returning to New Zealand and Jamie Richards taking up an invitation to train in Hong Kong has been applauded by the industry: Cambridge Stud’s Brendan Lindsay MNZM said: “The news of Jamie being offered a position in Hong Kong comes as no surprise to those of us who have been closely involved at Te Akau. Outside the success he has brought to Cambridge Stud, his results have been spectacular, and he was certain to be on their radar as a special talent. While Hong Kong remains a challenging environment for any trainer, Jamie is well up to it and we support him and his move there and wish him every success.” Cambridge Stud CEO Henry Plumptre added: “We are very pleased that Jamie will be replaced at Te Akau by his old mentor, Mark Walker. Mark was a champion trainer in his own right for Te Akau and has continued that success with a stellar career in Singapore. No-one knows the Te Akau system better than him and we are looking forward to working with him. I have enormous respect for him both as a person and a trainer. He will be a huge asset back in New Zealand.” Sir Peter Vela, owner of New Zealand Bloodstock: “It’s great to hear that New Zealand Champion Trainer Mark Walker, having left New Zealand to establish the operation in Singapore, is returning home to the Te Akau team, he will be a wonderful addition to the New Zealand training ranks.” Te Akau Racing will continue to have a significant presence in Singapore, with Donna Logan now part of the team. Te Akau and Fortuna horses at Kranji will come under the care of the respected New Zealand and Singapore Group 1 winning trainer – “I am so looking forward to training the beautiful new bloodstock I have been entrusted with”. It is expected that Jamie Richards will relocate to Hong Kong in May 2022 to prepare for the new season, with Mark Walker returning to New Zealand early in 2022. 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Gammalite Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 42 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Walker, who has worked for David Ellis since he left school, and is today a partner in the Te Akau operation, still holds a number of New Zealand training records: When he won his first NZ Trainers’ Premiership, he was the youngest trainer ever to do so. Before relocating to establish Te Akau’s Singapore stable in 2010, he set a New Zealand record for the highest number of two-year-old wins in a season (23) with 16 individual two-year-olds – this record stands today. In 2010 he established a new record for wins in a season, beating the previous 17-year record. Sounds like this bloke knows what he's doing. NZ racing to be again doing well when he returns. Congrats to Jamie Richards too. Will put NZ on the map in Hong Kong ,like Purton Hayes and John Size are doing for Oz in Hong Kong. Chief is the world Racing commentator at Hong Kong a kiwi ? he is very good. Am sure I hear the odd kiwi accent word now and then ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 53 minutes ago, Gammalite said: Sounds like this bloke knows what he's doing. NZ racing to be again doing well when he returns Might be a bit of a let down! Maybe he'll head up the OZ operation. 53 minutes ago, Gammalite said: Chief is the world Racing commentator at Hong Kong a kiwi ? he is very good. Am sure I hear the odd kiwi accent word now and then ? Yep - sort of. Mark McNamara from Moruya, NSW - went from calling in the bush to be NZ's mainly South Island commentator. Or you might have been listening to Tom Wood who is definitely a New Zealander. He is good too and started put in NZ. https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/2162217/new-hong-kong-racecallers-humble-beginnings-id-make-my-brother-run Then again I might have it all wrong as it has been a while since I watched the Hong Kong races. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Good luck to him , what a great opportunity for him, you'd think looking at his work ethic he will go well. Undoubtedly the entire merry go round is another thumbs up for the future of nz racing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted December 17, 2021 Author Share Posted December 17, 2021 You can hardly blame the fella for looking at fresh fields, however HK has a very dodgy future, why wouldn't TA have set up in Oz? Like Moroney did, Sarge did, and of course Waller did, why is Big Dave reluctant, a venture as big as TA needs to the best for their thousands of clients, running around for K12 is not a ROI.......there must be more to it, I just can't see it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 9 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said: You can hardly blame the fella for looking at fresh fields, however HK has a very dodgy future, why wouldn't TA have set up in Oz? Like Moroney did, Sarge did, and of course Waller did, why is Big Dave reluctant, a venture as big as TA needs to the best for their thousands of clients, running around for K12 is not a ROI.......there must be more to it, I just can't see it...... It's obvoius to me why they don't, its a very very competitive environment in Aus. and the spread of quality on a far grander scale , in NZ not so much if at all , particularly at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) Jamie Richards is an outstanding Trainer and more importantly a fine young man. TA and DC can spin this all they like. Jamie is moving on to bigger and better things and they will be devastated he is going. Shame. Edited December 17, 2021 by Peanut spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 New Zealand has only staged two $2 million races – he trained the winner (Princess Coup) of both. I suppose technically correct, but I do seem to recall the Derby was worth $2.2m for three years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 6 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Might be a bit of a let down! Maybe he'll head up the OZ operation. Yep - sort of. Mark McNamara from Moruya, NSW - went from calling in the bush to be NZ's mainly South Island commentator. Or you might have been listening to Tom Wood who is definitely a New Zealander. He is good too and started put in NZ. https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/2162217/new-hong-kong-racecallers-humble-beginnings-id-make-my-brother-run Then again I might have it all wrong as it has been a while since I watched the Hong Kong races. Correct. Tom Wood & Mark McNamara are the race callers and ex TAB head bookie Paul Lally is on the tv coverage also. Jamie Richards will do well there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 16 hours ago, Peanut said: Jamie Richards is an outstanding Trainer and more importantly a fine young man. TA and DC can spin this all they like. Jamie is moving on to bigger and better things and they will be devastated he is going. Shame. He may struggle in Hong Kong but I guess on the positive side of things the invitation from the HKJC puts to bed any lingering rumours about the TA operation. I'm sure the HKJC were very thorough in their due diligence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted December 17, 2021 Author Share Posted December 17, 2021 He is limited to 60 horses, a huge difference training in the big city, no paddocks? whoa, I've never met him, I wish him well, but HK to me is a poisoned chalice, it wasn't once, but it is now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeynz Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 3 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said: He is limited to 60 horses, a huge difference training in the big city, no paddocks? whoa, I've never met him, I wish him well, but HK to me is a poisoned chalice, it wasn't once, but it is now! What do the horses do when finished racing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 55 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: He may struggle in Hong Kong but I guess on the positive side of things the invitation from the HKJC puts to bed any lingering rumours about the TA operation. I'm sure the HKJC were very thorough in their due diligence. Highly doubt he will struggle. Zac Purton on twitter endorsing him saying he will do well…that holds some weight considering Purton’s status. he will also probably have a stable at the mainland china facility which has paddocks for spelling I am told. You get an extra allowance on top of the 60 if you have a stable there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) 23 minutes ago, mikeynz said: What do the horses do when finished racing? Help to make sneakers in one of the sweat shops in China??? Edited December 17, 2021 by Huey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 21 minutes ago, Bill said: Highly doubt he will struggle. Zac Purton on twitter endorsing him saying he will do well…that holds some weight considering Purton’s status. I said he "may" struggle especially initially. For a start he will have to adjust to the closed system regime and probably do some tasks that are done for him at TA. In my opinion the TA strike rate from raids to OZ haven't been as high as they should be. As for quoting a Jockey's opinion, I've never taken any notice of their opinions on horses and trainers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted December 18, 2021 Author Share Posted December 18, 2021 1 hour ago, mikeynz said: What do the horses do when finished racing? There is a clause in the sale contracts now, a repeat clause, they used to end up inside the lions at the zoo [fact] same as Singapore, the expat trainers looked the other way as the lifestyle was too good.......a horrible end for the noble animal shamefully, Korea and Macau are terrible places for a horse to end up, but hey that's life, who gives a fuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted December 18, 2021 Author Share Posted December 18, 2021 Just now, Joe Bloggs said: There is a clause in the sale contracts now, a repeat clause, they used to end up inside the lions at the zoo [fact] same as Singapore, the expat trainers looked the other way as the lifestyle was too good.......a horrible end for the noble animal shamefully, Korea and Macau are terrible places for a horse to end up, but hey that's life, who gives a fuck. That should read ..Repat.....as in Repatriation...! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumbles Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Will any of his top staff tag along or will staff be the concern of the HKJC? Thinking mainly of his Dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Bill said: he will also probably have a stable at the mainland china facility which has paddocks for spelling I am told. You get an extra allowance on top of the 60 if you have a stable there. Is the grass made of plastic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted December 18, 2021 Author Share Posted December 18, 2021 37 minutes ago, Huey said: Is the grass made of plastic? It may as well be, you know what they use for Fert up there Huey don't you? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Joe Bloggs said: It may as well be, you know what they use for Fert up there Huey don't you? Capitalists ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy ravioli Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 Paul O'Sullivan must do just enough to get by up...there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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