Quintessa Delivers Season Win 150

Justifying favouritism, Quintessa (2 f Shamus Award - Chaquinta, by High Chaparral) recorded a debut victory in the $20,000 Pukekohe Traders Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 22 March at Pukekohe.

When Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM purchased her as a yearling for $170,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, he said: “We're thrilled to be taking her home.”

Living up to expectations for owners in the Te Akau Awarded Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Quintessa overcame a three wide trip before quickening for a stylish trial win on 7 March at Rotorua, and went on to deliver fresh-up.

Brought to the outside by rider Opie Bosson to challenge in the straight, Quintessa entered into a duel with Loch Katrine (Ardrossan), ridden by Tegan Newman, and as the two former Te Akau apprentices set down to business it became apparent that Quintessa had the edge.

With forecast rain blowing out to produce Heavy9 footing, Quintessa ran 1200 metres in 1:12.6 and paid $2.10 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a really nice win and she has a bright future,” said trainer Mark Walker, after notching his 150^th win this season. 

“She's a lovely rising three-year-old type of filly, being out of a High Chaparral mare that won to 2700 metres, so it's impressive that she was able to win over a sprint trip.”

Incredibly, sire Shamus Award (Snitzel) won the 2013 Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) as a Maiden before franking the form in the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and being named Champion Three-Year-Old of the Year.

A son of Champion Sire Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), Shamus Award has been very successful at stud, siring over 600 winners, 38 stakes' winners (including 10 Group One's).

Like Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Shamus Award is also out of mare by Success Express (Hold Your Peace), an American sire influence that adds plenty of class and quality. 

Dam sire High Chaparral (Sadler's Well), twice US Champion Male on Turf, has become a sire sensation worldwide, sire of sires, and as expected doing the same as a broodmare sire. 

Although winning on debut over 1200 metres as a two-year-old, Quintessa has the pedigree to extend in trip. Her dam Chaquinta won five races, including three in succession to 2700 metres, and is a half-sister to the good staying horse Our Heir Apparent (Zabeel).

Ellis also had success buying from the family in 2021 at Karaka. Taviarma (Tavistock), out of Veearma (Darci Brahma), a half-sister to the dam of Quintessa, finished second on debut as a two-year-old in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). 

It is also the family of recent Dunstan Feeds Championship Final (2400m) and Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) winner Dionysus (Ocean Park), franking the stamina. 

Ellis also predicted it right when saying: “We think she has the class and presence to be up and running as a two-year-old in the autumn, but ultimately develop into high-class three-year-old.

“It's a great New Zealand family and has tremendous sire influences of High Chaparral and Encosta de Lago.”

Quintessa was strapped by Te Akau racing manager Reece Trumper. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz