3 minute read

A stellar selling performance during the five days of the National Yearling Sales Series was tinged with sadness for Cambridge based Wentwood Grange.

This was as the final chapter of their connection with former UAE champion older sprinter and well performed sire Faltaat was closed at Karaka today.

The Hawkins family had been heavily involved with Faltaat since he commenced his stallion career at Westbury Stud and have bred a number of top performers from the son of Mr Prospector. Included in that portfolio is the first New Zealand bred winner of the prestigious Kings’ Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in Little Bridge, Gr. 2 Rich Hill Mile winner Fears Nothing and Gr. 1 Railway sprint winner Miss Raggedy Ann.

Faltaat passed away in 2013 and Wentwood presented his last progeny through the auction ring featuring their brand at Karaka this year as they sold Lot 936, the colt from Danehill mare Entrancement for $30,000.

“He has played a major role in the development of Wentwood Grange through the progeny he has produced for us,” reflected Sean Hawkins after the sale.

“It was quite an emotional moment for all of the family and staff to see the last son of the old boy enter the ring but I guess there is a silver lining in that we know he is going to a very good home.”

Hawkins was referring to the successful bidder on the colt who was Foxton trainer David Haworth and his training partner and daughter, Emma.

“We fell in love with this colt when we first saw him,” said Howarth.

“We bought his full sister Endeavour from the 2013 sale and she is a very good mare who is just starting to put it all together on the track so we were really keen to get this guy.

“I’ve trained some very, very good horses by Faltaat over the years including Fears Nothing who appears in the pedigree of this colt along with Rosina Lad who I rate as the best horse I’ve ever trained.

“We also purchased The Foreman from the Hawkins family who won four in row early in his career and ran second at Group Two level so I’d like to think this colt can live up to that standard.”