It takes a lot to get Dean Yendall excited.
Granted, G1 wins give him a ‘raging horn’ but those have been few and far between in recent seasons as the veteran jockey has battled a horror run of falls, injuries and surgeries.
It’s why Yendall is so excited to be crossing the ditch to ride the lone Australian raider in Saturday week’s $4 million NZB Kiwi.
Yendall will continue his association with Mitch Freedman’s emerging three-year-old Asakura, who was booked in Ozzie Kheir’s slot for NZ’s richest race.
He knows the untapped gelding will have his work cut out for him against the local star Well Written, who boasts an unblemished record and bolted in to win the Karaka Millions 3YO Classic last month, but he’s happy to put her to the test.
“The big races are always a good experience and, I know it’s only New Zealand, but to ride in a nice international race is a pretty big deal,” Yendall said.
“I’ve watched the filly that Matt Cartwright has been riding and she looks very special so he (Asakura) needs to bring his A-game, that’s for sure.”
“But I like the horse, I think he goes very well.”
“I’m pretty light on at the moment, Matthew Williams has been my main supporter and Mitch has been putting me on a bit as well so I’m grateful that he is sticking with me in this race.”
Yendall has been aboard Asakura in each of his four career starts.
After wins at Terang and Geelong in January, the son of Churchill handled the sharp rise to Stakes grade with a fighting second behind Sixties in the G3 C.S. Hayes Stakes earlier this month.
While the G1 Australian Guineas was on the radar, connections of the three-year-old were courted by slot holder Kheir, who was on the hunt for an NZB sale graduate to run in The Kiwi.
Freedman bought Asakura for $140,000 out of Book 1 at Karaka in 2024 and Yendall believes he’s still developing.
“I think he’s still 12 months away from being the finished product,” he said.
“That’s not to say he’s not a quality horse now and I thought he would’ve been an each-way chance if they had a go at the Guineas this weekend.”
Yendall’s tally of winners is edging towards 3000 and, while he’s managing his work-life balance more closely these days, the hunger to add to his G1 count of six remains strong.
While the NZB Kiwi doesn’t yet hold G1 status, victory in the lucrative race would double his tally of wins in New Zealand from only a handful of raids.
“I’ve only ridden there three or four times,” he said.
“I went a long time ago to ride a horse for Mike Moroney – it was that long ago I can’t remember the horse’s name.”
“I went a couple of years ago to ride Justacanta that Patrick Payne had over here (Australia).”
“The Kiwi trophy would look nice at home in Horsham.”
