In today's instalment of 2021/2022 Rapid Reflections, we feature a quickfire round with Te Akau's Racing Manager, Jamie Richards.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2021?
Jamie Richards: Training our 50th Group 1 winner with The Perfect Pink, in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton, in the South Island, during Cup Week.
The Perfect Pink (NZ), winner of the 2021 G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
TDN AusNZ: What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
JR: Setting up in Hong Kong and the challenge that brings.
TDN AusNZ: Which first-season sire are you most excited about, and why?
JR: Trapeze Artist, a Champion sprinter by a Champion sire. I was really impressed with his foals at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
JR: John Size, so I could understand what works and what doesn’t in Hong Kong.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of this year?
JR: Noverre, an explosive winner of the G1 2000 Guineas. A colt with untapped potential.
Noverre (NZ), winner of the 2021 G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite stallion, and why?
JR: Savabeel, he is able to leave Champion 2-Year-Olds, Oaks-winning 3-year-old fillies, through to stayers that win over two miles.
TDN AusNZ: Who is the most underrated stallion in Australasia?
JR: Street Boss.
TDN AusNZ: What was your best purchase in 2021?
JR: My property in Matamata, which we are in the process of potentially subdividing.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite binge-worthy television show?
JR: Blind Spot.
TDN AusNZ: Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why?
JR: Sam Begerson, Assistant Trainer here at Te Akau Racing, New Zealand. Sam has a solid grounding in the industry, is a hard worker and a very likable guy. He has a good way with the horses and staff, and is more relaxed than I am.
Jamie Richards
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think will take out the 2022 first-season sire honours?
JR: I really like the look of how Heroic Valour is going. Also, Russian Revolution appears to be doing a good job.
TDN AusNZ: What kept you occupied during this year's lockdowns, aside from work?
JR: Life really carried on as normal here in New Zealand, we were still training the horses to have them fit, happy and healthy, and ready to go when racing resumed.
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2022?
JR: More initiatives to get young people involved in the industry. Also, further investment in our tracks and the necessary equipment and technology to ensure that our horses are racing on the best surfaces possible.
