QUINTESSA

This daughter of Shamus Award was one of the final yearlings to sell in her year - purchased by David Ellis CNZM from the Karaka Book 1 Sale for $170,000. 

Winning decisively on debut in March 2023 on a heavy track, she was spelled and returned stylishly in August where she drove through to snatch victory by a nose on the line over Oneira. Her quest to remain unbeaten in three starts was achieved easily in the $120,000 Group 3 Hawkes Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes 3YO SW for fillies over 1200m.  It was a picture book ride by stable jockey Opie Bosson ONZM who was three wide from the outside gate (13), improved as they turned for home, and scorched home in a huge finish for this valuable win - and first points in the prestigious NZB Filly of the Year Series.

Narrowly beaten into second on Waikato Cup Day at Te Rapa in December 2023, she replicated that when finishing runner up again to Pendragon on Boxing Day 2024 at Pukekohe in the $225,000 Group 2 Shaw's Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas 3YO SW 1400m - with Michael McNab aboard, there was only .2 length separating her from the winner.

Resisting the allure of the Karaka 3YO Millions, Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson elected to hunt down valuable Group 1 honours for the talented 3YO filly. In January 2024, she took her place in the $500,000 Group 1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic 3YO SW 1600m at Trentham with Bosson back on board.

It was a sight to behold as she staved off all her determined opposition to record an important Group 1 victory by, again, .2 lengths, this time in her favour!

Raced by the Te Akau Awarded Racing Partnership (Manager: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) she has won four times, and been runner up twice, in just six starts for her owners, which include One Warriors' Assistant Coach Stacey Jones, earning $444,650 in her career to date.