A Season of Success concludes ...

The final stakes' star of Te Akau's record-breaking 2017/18 season was the wonderful staying mare Our Abbadean - bred and raced by the Hawkins Family of Wentwood Grange - what a season she had, collecting not one but TWO Group race victories ...

As we close the door on the season past, Te Akau thanks our wonderful and loyal family of owners, our incredible and dedicated team members (stud and stable), our jockeys and most importantly, our horses - who bring us so much pleasure - here's to the new and exciting season ahead ...

A mare that continued to improve as she worked through the grades, Our Abbadean (5 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights, by Fantastic Light) struck a purple patch of form with dual Group Two wins over 2000 metres in the $100,000 Awapuni Gold Cup and $100,000 Travis Stakes.

Bred and owned by the Hawkins family at Wentwood Grange, Our Abbadean had advanced to Rating 73, after three wins, but a turning point came in April last year when she carried top weight (59kgs) to an impressive 2 ¼ length win in the FLAIR Rating 75 2200 metres at Te Rapa.

Subsequently spelled, her resuming run for second when charging through to almost claim stable-mate Royal Success (Savabeel) was a distinct sign of things to come.

Patiently handled through the summer months, Our Abbadean returned to her best when winning the Open 2100 metres in March at Trentham, after previously finishing fourth in both the Douro Cup (Rating 85, 1600m) and Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on the same course.

Then her two Group Two victories, separated by a close second in the Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m), and assurance of an important career ahead in the Wentwood broodmare band.

A pedigree cross to Northern Dancer appears through the dam side of Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) and female side of dam sire Fantastic Light (Rahy), as well as the desired influence of Mr. Prospector (Raise A Native) - sire of Smart Strike.

“Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) was a stallion that Dean (Hawkins) really liked in Australia,” said Des Hawkins.

“We never had doubts that he could produce a racehorse, as he was a good racehorse himself, but did doubt whether or not he would be commercial. So, we sent the mare over and I think she was the most beautiful foal we had that year. She has a good pedigree and Fantastic Light is proving a very good broodmare sire.”

“We really liked the Mr. Prospector line through the mare, and found that in Lookin At Lucky, as we'd had a lot of success with Faltaat,” said Dean Hawkins, reflecting on Group One winning mares Little Bridge and Miss Raggedy Ann which they bred.

“We've also had a lot of success with Te Akau through the years. It's nice to have a good quality staying filly for them, and us. We know they've had a fantastic run with their two-year-olds, but, really, they can do anything. Dave (Ellis) has bought a lot of horses out of drafts at the sales and done very well with them too, which is always a good position to be in.

Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “The Hawkins family have had horses in our stable for a long time and they're a great family to train for. They are terrific supporters of the racing industry and it's always a thrill to win races for them. It's great to be supported by breeders in the industry and Our Abbadean has now become very valuable.

“Wentwood is a first-class business that breeds quality horses and we love buying off them at the sales,” he added.