Quintessa Another Star Performer from Wentwood Grange

Media Release - Monday September 2

Cambridge thoroughbred nursery Wentwood Grange were thrilled to watch farm graduate Quintessa 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.

Quintessa wins the G3 Cockram Stakes - image Grant Courtney

Quintessa wins the G3 Cockram Stakes - image Grant Courtney

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).

Advertisement

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.

Dean (left) and Sean Hawkins.  Photo: Trish Dunell

Dean (left) and Sean Hawkins. Photo: Trish Dunell

“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.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Quintessa Primed to Bounce Back for Te Akau
The departure of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz has done little to slow Te Akau Racing’s progress in Australia, and trainer Mark Walker hopes the stable’s strong spring momentum will continue at Caulfield on Saturday.
Te Akau Chasing Another Cup Day Success
Last year’s Melbourne Cup Day concluded in success for Mark Walker in the Gr.3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m), a race he will chase back-to-back crowns in on Tuesday with Kiwi mare Quintessa.
Via Sistina Leads Waller Trifecta in G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes
The Group I $1million ATC Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday was always going to be won by a Chris Waller trained runner when talented gelding Ceolwulf was scratched on the morning of the race and it was the favourite Via Sistina (IRE), who did best in a titanic battle to shade her stablemates Fangirl and Lindermann.
Darby Racing Filly into Golden Slipper
Darby Racing have a happy knack for finding serious value at Inglis Classic and they certainly got that in spades when paying $30,000 for Within the Law as the Lucky Vega (IRE) filly has been on fire in the Inglis incentive races and has now earned a crack at the Golden Slipper with her determined win in the Group II Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Kiwi Bred Quinella G1 Australian Guineas
Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth and trainer Dominic Sutton stood in the Group One spotlight for the first time when Feroce headed a New Zealand-bred quinella in Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Howden Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
Shamus Award Filly Seeking an Oaks Upset
Te Akau Racing will continue their raid on The Championships in Sydney with a pair of in-form chances at Randwick this weekend, including quality filly Quintessa in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
Widden Stud Bred and Sold El Morzillo wins $1million Inglis Sprint
A $50,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase from the Widden Stud draft, Star Witness filly El Morzillo won the $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington today as Kelly Schweida delivered a fairytale result for connections.
Best On Breeding
Having last raced in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April, has been set a difficult task when she resumes under topweight in a very open Tobin Brothers Cockram Stakes (1200m) on Memsie Stakes Day at Caulfield.
New Prep - New Tactics - Old Results for Amelia's Jewel
New prep, new tactics from a rapid fire decision, back to old results – there’s the story of Amelia’s Jewel’s long awaited return to winning form in the Group II Proven Thoroughbreds Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The Two Ladies Outstanding in G1 Surround Stakes
The two ladies were mighty in the Group I Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday smashing the race record, but at the finish it was Lady Shenandoah prevailing over Lady Of Camelot to get her second win at the top level.