About us
Virginia and I have spent 27-years founding and building NZ’s Premier Premium Online Wine Retailer… www.finewinedelivery.co.nz we began from a spare bedroom at home and built a respected, nationally regarded wine business based on integrity in wine, hard work and pure passion. Along the journey we have gathered thousands of new friends.
4-years ago we began a new journey fuelled by a passion for Thoroughbred Horses. We bought and raced a beautiful filly “Sanzera” … whom we and close friends purchased from Koru Thoroughbreds. When I identified her at the Karaka Yearlings sales, I contracted a leading Australian Trainer for a second opinion. In his words,
"She's the nicest filly I've seen at the sales Jeff."
Pictured: Sanzera at home in Clevedon
New generation
We sent Sanzera to Australia to race, she won 2/4 as a late 2-year-old. Due to a troublesome tendon, we retired her early, had her served by upcoming Australian Stallion “Dubious” and bought her back to our Clevedon property. She foaled a powerful, intelligent colt 4/09/2023, which we intend to race in Australia in 2026.
Pictured: Jeff with 'Coffee'
Partnerships
Driven by a love for Thoroughbreds and my abundance of entrepreneurialism and passion… I collaborated with Koru Thoroughbreds to purchase 3-4 of their finest yearlings each year to place under ‘Group Ownership’ with family & friends.
Our innovative multi-horse model mitigates the risk of investment in a single horse, maximises returns and vastly increases the racing opportunities. We include colts and fillies in each syndicate. Koru Thoroughbreds retain a 20% share in each horse/group (reflection of their regard for these horses) - Virginia, and I retain 20%... and we manage all horses ‘FEE FREE’ on behalf of owners.
We place them with Australia’s finest trainers including Chris Waller, Tony McEvoy, Richard Freedman, Tony Gollan, Phillip Stokes, Matthew Dunn.
Pictured: Jeff & Virginia Poole, Julie & Kevin Taylor (Koru Thoroughbreds).
AHA Group Ownership Racing
We exclusively race our horses in Australia, the prizemoney is several times greater and the breadth of racing opportunities incomparable. All Group Owners % of ownership is registered directly in each horse with Racing Australia… all stakes’ winnings are paid directly. Similarly training costs are billed to owners directly relative to % ownership. We do not handle any money ensuring the process is 100% transparent and trustworthy.
We have 6 Multiple Horse Group Ownerships now racing in Australia. Of the first 7 horses to race so far, 3 were first up Maiden winners… collectively the 7 have accumulated 8 Wins, 7 x 2nd placings & 8 x 3rd placings for their group owners. An impressive beginning by any standards.
Owners have turned down combined offers of $2.1m for 3 of our horses to date, preferring as a group to own and race them. Of course, there can always come a time when the money is too irresistible, and a democratic decision made by all to accept it.
In each Horse Group we include colts and fillies. The colts offer a chance of remaining entire and providing a lottery like return should they successfully get to Group Racing (pinnacle of Australian Racing) level. Most colts are unable to remain entire and race successfully, so are gelded to focus on racing. When fillies have a successful racing career their post racing value as a broodmare can be significant, potentially multiples of the owners original purchase price.
We purchase all our horses as yearlings, from there it is circa 18-24 months before they race. It is important to be patient, too many horses are pushed too hard as 2-year-olds resulting in shorter racing careers, or career ending injuries. At Aha, we care for our horses, their physical and mental well-being is paramount. This approach is invariably followed by greater success. It’s why we work with the calibre and quality of trainers we do.
AS KEVIN TAYLOR OF KORU THOROUGHBREDS SAYS...
“select horses on athleticism, confirmation, attitude and good breeding… place them with the best trainers and luck can play its part”.
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