Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The Hawkins family’s Wentwood Grange are co-breeders with Warren Pegg of Saturday’s G1 All Aged S. hero Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and they also bred and sold the Listed Princess S. winner Easifar (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai).
On Sunday, there was further success to toast when Mai Tai (NZ) (Atlante), who is bred and raced by the family under its Llanhennock Trust banner, was successful in the Listed Anzac Mile.
Mai Tai (NZ) wins the Listed Anzac Mile | Image courtesy of Race Images
“It was unbelievable, just amazing. We had a few beers on Saturday night and opened a few more the next day,” Sean Hawkins said.
“Kolding is a war horse and what a win that was. The other one (Savatiano) came up beside him and I didn’t think he was going to get it, but he just dug in and he’s such a tough horse.
“He’s a bit under-rated and when he gets the right track and the right day they can’t beat him. He’s such a great horse – three Group 1s and on top of that the Golden Eagle.
“He’s (Kolding) such a great horse – three Group 1s and on top of that the Golden Eagle.” – Sean Hawkins
“He was bred in partnership with Warren Pegg, who was one of our first clients when we went out on our own.
“He’s in his eighties now and that’s why we started a breeding partnership, he didn’t want all the pressure of all the decisions.”
While Kolding’s dam Magic Star (Danzero) has passed away, a family member remains at Wentwood.
“We’ve got Unique Magic, who is a half-sister by Denman to Kolding and she was a six-time winner. She’s got a Brazen Beau filly that will be going to the sales,” Hawkins said.
Easifar is a daughter of Storm Fronts (Hurricane Sky), who was a $50,000 buy at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. After that purchase, her son Readytogorightnow (More Than Ready {USA}) subsequently won twice at Group 3 level in South Africa.
“We’ve still got the mare and she won’t have anything going to the sales, but is now in foal to Almanzor,” Hawkins said.
“We’ve still got the mare (Storm Fronts) and she won’t have anything going to the sales, but is now in foal to Almanzor.” – Sean Hawkins
Easifar was sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $220,000 to Debbie Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock.
“She is from the family of Denise’s Joy so she’s a valuable broodmare and Debbie has got a couple of mares on the farm here so that’s quite a special relationship,” Hawkins said. “She’s got shares in them with Linda Huddy and Peter Tighe.
“They were all involved in racing Preferment and still have shares in him so they are supporting him at Brighthill Farm.”
Easifar as a yearling
Meanwhile, Mai Tai has now won five races and returned a cheque in each of her other five appearances.
“We lost her dam Tropical Punch when she had Mai Tai so she was a foster foal. She is a real favourite with all the team, they all love her so much so it was a special win,” Hawkins said.
“She (Mai Tai) is a real favourite with all the team, they all love her so much so it was a special win.” – Sean Hawkins
“She became a real pet while we were finding a new mum for her and for her to go and do what she has is fantastic.
“When she’s racing the team are all texting and we always all get together afterwards for a few beers, she’s is a very special mare to all of us.”
While Wentwood has yet to confirm its mating plans for later in the year, a number will be heading to Australia.
“We haven’t worked anything out yet, but as usual we will be sending our dry mares over there,” Hawkins said. “We like to have them foaling at home and love seeing the babies.”
