Wentwood Grange graduate flying Kiwi flag

[Wandering Eyes]

Cambridge thoroughbred nursery Wentwood Grange were thrilled to watch farm graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) add to her burgeoning record when victorious first-up in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Bred by Peachester Lodge principals Graham and Linda Huddy, Quintessa was born and raised at Wentwood Grange, who offered her through their 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $170,000.

She won her sole start as a juvenile before winning her first two starts as a three-year-old, including the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. She went on to finish runner-up in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day before taking out the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in January.

She stepped up to weight-for-age for the first time at her next start where she finished fourth in the Gr.1 BCD Group Spring (1400m) and posted the same result in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m), and was runner-up in the Gr.2 Alister Clarke Stakes (2040m).

The daughter of Shamus Award was lumbered with topweight of 60kg in Saturday’s resumption, but she proved to strong for her foes, running out a three-quarter length victor, much to the delight of Wentwood Grange’s Dean, Sean and Leigh Hawkins.

“It was fantastic to get that result,” Dean Hawkins said. “She was obviously a top-class three-year-old, so it is always great to have them come back at four and win very impressively like that with 60 kilos on their back.”

Hawkins said Quintessa was an impressive younger animal and oozed potential when parading at Karaka two years ago.

“The thing about her was her walk,” Hawkins said. “She had a brilliant presence about her and her walk was her strongest attribute at the sales. She was a very strong, forward filly.”

Hawkins said the Huddys have been clients of the farm for a decade, which was further enhanced when their four-time Group One winner Preferment came to New Zealand to stand at Brighthill Farm.

The Queensland-based couple purchased several mares to send to New Zealand to be served by their stallion, including five-win High Chaparral mare Chaquinta, who they bought for A$65,000 out of the Magic Millions 2020 Rosemont Exclusive Online Sale.

Chaquinta had four foals in New Zealand, with Quintessa being the first, followed by a Preferement colt and filly in the following two seasons, with a King Of Comedy yearling colt set to go through the Karaka sales ring next January.

“He is a nice horse and he is going to continue to thrive and we look forward to getting him there,” Hawkins said.

Chaquinta has returned to Australia in-foal to Little Avondale Stud Stallion Per Incanto, with a view to being served by Shamus Award.

Hawkins said the entire Wentwood Grange team got a massive thrill out of Quintessa’s weekend result, particularly for the Huddys.

“Our clients are an integral part of the farm,” he said. “Our blessing is the farm and the way they (horses) are grown and raised.

“Getting results for clients is just as special as breeding our own. The whole team put so much effort into it that it’s fantastic to get that success.

“It is also great for the Te Akau team as well, they are huge supporters of New Zealand racing and it is great to get their colours winning a big race off the farm.”

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