While Chris Waller continues to set new records in Australia, across the ditch the Matamata based Jamie Richards similarly rules supreme in the training ranks.
His statistics are quite stunning.
For the 2020.21 season in New Zealand, Richards saddled 160 winners. Of the 21 Group 1 races in New Zealand, Richards won thirteen Group 1’s … and, in all, the stable triumphed in thirty-six black type races.
Richards saddled the quinella in five Group 1’s and provided the first four in the Karaka Millions.
In Australia, Richards won two Group 1’s with Probabeel.
The combined earning of the Richards runners in both countries was over 7.5 million
“I guess the main thing for me is the achievements we have had have come from a great team who have all had a role to play in our success,” Richards told NZ Racing News.
“We have so many nice horses that (Te Akau principal) David (Ellis) has bought at the sales and a loyal ownership group behind us that are so supportive, but you also need to have the staff and team in place to be able to bring it all together.
Part of that team, who does Te Akau Racing proud, is Danielle Johnson, Richards’ partner, who had a stellar season herself finishing a runaway winner of the Jockey’s Premiership with 151 winners, no less than 60 wins ahead of her nearest rival.
“People may just see what happens on raceday, but we are always working hard to find that extra five percent or half a length out of each horse, as that is often the difference between winning and losing on the track,” continued Richards.
“It is a credit to everyone who is involved with team that we have achieved what we have this season.”
“I guess that is what is so good about racing in that for all we achieved in the last 12 months, it is a new ballgame (with the new season from August 1).
“We start afresh and what happened last year is in the past. There is just something special about the start of a new season and particularly watching our two-year-olds come through to start their racing journey.
“It’s something I love and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.”
