Te Akau Announces New Racing Manager

Te Akau Racing is delighted to announce the appointment of Reece Trumper as our Racing Manager, based at Te Akau's Matamata stable.

Reece, who has an extensive thoroughbred racing and breeding knowledge, is currently the assistant foreman at our Colt Barn in Matamata, having risen quickly through the ranks in three years working for Te Akau Racing. 

We were thrilled with the number of applications we received for the role of Racing Manager. As well as a large number of expressions of interest received from well-credentialed candidates across New Zealand and Australia, applications were received from as far afield as Japan, USA, UK and Hong Kong. It was certainly a keenly contested position.

The role of Racing Manager is a broad and extensive one - Reece will for example accompany David and the team as they undertake equine inspections and attend various sales. He will be responsible for owner liaison at trials' and race days, as well as represent Te Akau in an ambassadorial role at various events.  He will also act as the 'right hand person' to our trainer Mark Walker and Assistant Trainer Sam Bergerson, undertaking various support responsibilities for them.

When we realised New Zealand was going into lockdown in early 2020, we immediately moved all our racehorses from our stable in Matamata to Te Akau Stud. Reece and Sam came and lived with us at the farm for three months and were an incredible assistance with the significant increase in the number of horses spelling on the farm due to the pandemic.

Spending time with Reece and Sam during that lockdown, day in and day out, further reinforced to us what top individuals they both are. They are intelligent and dedicated, and are deeply passionate about our horses and our industry - both are stellar members of the tangerine team. Sam of course was appointed to the role of Assistant Trainer before the season started last year and Reece will now assume the position of Racing Manager.

Growing up in Taranaki, Reece not only has a thoroughbred pedigree himself, but also understands competition in sport. Reece also experienced success playing cricket as a wicketkeeper/batsman, representing Taranaki in age group teams, playing for Stratford, and he spent a short time playing for Brunel University in Uxbridge, London. 

“I'm really excited and looking forward to the new challenge. I love my racing and I think everyone can see that," Reece said.

“I envisage that this role will really evolve and develop, and one of my absolute priorities will be to work closely with our Te Akau owners, ensuring that their experience continues to be the very best in the business."

“It shows that Dave and Karyn believe in me. They're like my second parents and do everything to help me in every part of my life.

“My grandparents, John and Sue Trumper, owned Cheveley Stud at Te Aroha. I had a really good chat with Jamie (Richards) in my last year at High School, and that's how the relationship started with Te Akau. It has been really good to learn from two top trainers in Jamie Richards and now Mark Walker.

“Racing is an incredible 'game'. We have many sports' stars getting involved and they absolutely love it, the whole nature of the competitive environment.  Our horses and jockeys are elite athletes so our sportspeople can really relate to what it takes to succeed.

"We've got a good number of current rugby and rugby league personalities who are owners. Angus Schaw, a Hawkes Bay cricketer, has a share in Wild Night and was there to see him win last Wednesday at Matamata, and I don't think he'd had a bigger thrill in his life.

“Tom Bruce, Central Districts Cricketer of the Year and Black Cap, has a share in Rip Van Gogh. He's not the quickest horse in the world, but when he won a race they thought they were champions. You don't get the same feeling in any other sport as you do when you're involved in a winning horse.

“Horse racing is a massive industry and probably doesn't get the coverage it deserves in mainstream media. Our aim is to continue to promote our sport, ensuring we share our owners' success as widely as we can.  A lot of people say to me they wish they'd got involved in racing years earlier than they did because they have so much fun. It's a privilege to be involved in ensuring our Te Akau owners continue to enjoy the best experience anywhere."

We know you will join us in warmly welcoming Reece to his new role - we all look forward to seeing him at the races as Racing Manager very soon!