Client Spotlight - Gama Breeding

Often when you talk to a breeder of standardbreds there will be the one mare that started it all. A mare that gave so much joy on the racetrack, that the temptation to breed another one like her is just too much to resist.

And that is certainly the case for Mike Atkins of Gama Breeding.

Mike Atkins, with Mikra Wave

Based in West Eyreton in Canterbury, Mike and his long time friend Greg Adlam have dived into the commercial breeding industry since racing their wonderful mare, Wave Runner, together.

The story in itself started in a unique way when a family connection was randomly discovered via Mike’s career in banking.

“We are actually related, on my mother’s side, but I didn’t know that until I was about 25 when I went and did some banking work down in Ashburton. I met Greg there and we put the pieces together. It’s a small world,” Mike explained.

After realising that connection, Mike ventured into horse ownership along with Greg and it was a phone call to the late Dan Cummings of Tuapeka Lodge that paved the way for racing success.

Father Dan gave his guidance, and after initially being involved in a horse named Tuapeka Wings, Mike and Greg found Wave Runner.

Along with a syndicate and Tuapeka Lodge, Mike and Greg raced Wave Runner who was trained by Greg’s brother, Simon Adlam.

She would take them on a great ride during her racing career, winning eight races in total and placing at Group Two level in the Premier Mares Championship behind Kiwi Ingenuity and Nearea Franco.

She also won a Timaru and Greymouth Cup.

After purchasing Wave Runner outright in 2015, Gama Breeding began. She has been the foundation mare for Mike and Greg’s breeding business.

 She currently has an American Ideal colt at foot at Mike’s property, and he will be her last foal.

With Mike living in Auckland up until two years ago, he’s worked with stud farms to help oversee the care of his horses.

“Wave Runner spent about ten years at Macca Lodge, Brent and the team did a great job with the horses,” Mike said.  

“We lived in Auckland previously so when got down to visit the mares at Macca Lodge when we could, and even though we were all the way up there and they were all the way down there we still felt involved.”

“I’ve had a great working relationship over the years with Macca Lodge, and now we are living in Christchurch we are now working with Wai Eyre Farm, which is just down the road.”

“I must commend Anna and the team at Wai Eyre for the great care they took with Wave Runner this season when she foaled, being an older mare she got all of the care and attention she needed.”

Wave Runner has been a diligent producer, with her most recent foal being her fourteenth.

To date she’s left winners such as Digital Art (6 wins), Bonnie Joan (10 wins), Kilowatt Kid (31 wins), Break Dance (5 wins), Wavethebill (16 wins) and Sand Wave (10 wins).

“Wavethebill, well he is on record as being New Zealand’s fastest free legged pacer. That’s a little known fact. He got sold to Australia and went on to do some good stuff over there,” said Mike.

Also just over the paddock is Second Wave (by Sir Lincoln out of Wave Runner). She has a colt by Perfect Sting at foot and is foal now to US Captain.

She has a Fear The Dragon three-year-old named Drogon Wave in work with Simon Adlam currently.

On farm, Mike and Greg are currently also breeding out of Mikra Wave (Always B Miki).

The recent addition of US Captain to Wai Eyre Farm presented a great opportunity for Gama Breeding to cross back to the Somebeachsomewhere line, which has crossed successfully with Wave Runner in the past.

“I think it’s great what Wai Eyre and Macca Lodge have done bringing in stallions like US Captain, well bred stallions for a more affordable cost to breeders.”

“Both Mikra Wave and Second Wave are in foal to US Captain. Wave Runner in the past has crossed well with the Somebeachsomewhere line so we are excited about that. Both mares were in foal first go to US Captain too, which is a great result.”

Being able to work in with those around them has been hugely beneficial to Mike and Greg as they ventured into the breeding world. Leasing and pulling on industry knowledge has been a big help.

“Wavebydesign is another out of Wave Runner, and has been leased to Sam at Dancingonmoonlight. Working with people like Sam, Darryl and Brent has really helped us on our way, getting advice and insight. We’ve got a really good working partnership, it’s a good community,” explained Mike.

“It’s nice to have people willing to help and support us, and the end of the day we started with a horse who did really well on the race track, and she comes from a really long line of great horses from Tuapeka Lodge. We are pretty much a nobody in comparison to the big breeding studs, so we need that help. I’m not an expert, we need expert advice.”

And there is no shortage of people who are willing to help out either.

“When it comes to weaning them Pip Wakelin helps us out, they are just up in Oxford. They come and do the horses feet for us and bits and pieces, these people at the drop of a hat will just come and help you.”

The venture back to Christchurch has meant that Mike has been able to buy land and set up the property for the broodmares and foals. It’s been a long journey home but he has achieved a lot in his career in banking and allowed him the ability to come back south.  

“I work at ASB in the International Trade Business. And that’s another exciting part about being a breeder, being able to help the export business. And you can draw a line between the sales, exporting horses and the industry.”

“I lived in Christchurch for my first 20 years and then started my banking career with ANZ with International Trade, I moved through the ranks. So that meant I ended up living in places like Bay Of Plenty, Rotorua, Mount Maunganui and then ended up in Auckland.”

“Then I started my own little business called Trade Solutions, which a mate and I got going from the ground up, but then the GFC hit. A few of the clients got tipped into receivership so it was back to work for me, and fortunately I was head hunted by ASB to join them.”

“So after 17 years in Auckland we jumped at the chance to move back to Christchurch and have all the horses at home, bring all the horse family together, as it was. This is the second year we’ve been at this property, and with the horses all together.”

And since moving into the property that has meant being close to Wai Eyre Farm, and was a natural partnership choice for Gama Breeding.

“The working relationship with Wai Eyre just down the road is so good, Darryl and the team have been so approachable and supportive of what we are trying to achieve and that means a lot.”

“I just rocked on up and introduced myself one day, and Darryl was more than happy to spend time talking with me and answering my questions. He didn’t have to do any of that, but he’s very engaging. And so is Lisa in the office too, and Anna and all the staff with the mares.”

“It’s inclusive, I guess it’s all about going forward together and that’s really helpful to us.”

“If there’s anything businesses have taught me, you need strong partnerships.”

With the recent turn in breeding numbers it has inspired confidence in many breeders, and for Mike and Greg they are keen to keep breeding from the line of Wave Runner and producing horses that can replicate her toughness.

“Once we retire Wave Runner we’ll have three broodmares and at a point in time we could have four or five, which is a nice place to get to. Maybe, hopefully in time, we can breed a few stars.”

“In 15 years of breeding the closest we have got to that was a third in the New Zealand Derby with Sand Wave. We bred him and he was purchased by clients of Nathan Williamson. Akuta won that year, it was a bad year to be a three-year-old as Republican Party ran second.” Mike laughed.

New incentives and races have also encouraged them to breed.

“The Harness 5000 I think has been a great concept for those of us breeding to stallions in that range. It gives everyone a real shot at some serious stake money and you don’t necessarily have to have the best horse in that age group so I think that’s a great initiative, along with Next Gen.”

“For Gama Breeding one day it would be great if we could have one go through the ring for $100,000. I’d be having kittens at the time, she would be a big night. But if we could do that and put some more money back into the kitty, then we’d be able to race some more.”

“We went down the avenue of racing, and they all cost the same money to train. So you learn you lesson quite quickly when you have a couple of horses in training and nothing coming in the door. It can run dry quite quickly.”

“But if we were fortunate enough to sell at the sales each year for good money, then we could continue that cycle. I said to Greg we’ve got to focus on making it a profitable business, and have it stand on it’s own two feet. If we’re into breeding, let’s just do breeding.”

“If we can breed a Group One winner, or have a horse go through the sales for good money then we would be very happy people. We’d be able to rest in peace then.”

But it’s that beginning with Father Dan and Tuapeka Lodge that sits firmly in the memory for Mike, and being able to buy into such a rich tapestry of southern bloodlines.

“Wave Runner’s second dam Maureens Dream has been a prolific producer right through the pedigrees, it’s a brilliant Tuapeka Lodge line.”

“And Tuapeka Lodge – if you want to talk about a legacy, that is one for sure.”

But for now Gama Breeding is setting out to create a legacy of it’s own.

With Wave Runner now retired for breeding it’s time for her daughters to carry on the job, and Mike and Greg intend to do so with passion and the promise of a champion.

But once again the community spirit of the harness racing industry and those willing to help and answer questions have opened doors for them.

“We couldn’t have done it without a lot of peoples help.”

“We just keep looking forward and keep ticking through the family, if we end up with a few more generations out there then that’s also a success in itself.”

“You don’t get much better than looking out the window and seeing the mares and foals, it’s a great experience and a great work/life balance.”

To find out more about Gama Breeding visit www.gama.co.nz