STANDARDBRED

Wentwood Grange backs a winner with Darci

Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill) made the seamless transition from auction ring star to Group One glory on the racetrack, and the high class son of Danehill is now firmly establishing himself as a quality stallion. Sharing the ride is the respected Cambridge nursery Wentwood Grange.

He was the first yearling we took shares in as a stallion prospect and raced, and it's been terrific fun from day one, Sean Hawkins said. " We've got an exciting draft of Darci Brahmas out of top class mares to offer at Karaka."

Wentwood Grange has also celebrated continued success with homebred mares, led by star performer Miss Raggedy Ann (NZ) (Faltaat), who carried the stud's colours to victory at Ellerslie earlier this year in the Group One Railway Stakes. " That was a huge thrill and she's now in foal to Exceed and Excel (Danehill), " Hawkins said. " Recently we have also produced another four stakes performers out of the K2 sale alone in Brown Eyed Grace (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy), Miss Sharapova (NZ) (Usitnov), Miss Upstart (Snippetson) and Perfect Katch (NZ) (Perfectly Ready). Overseas, two Wentwood Grange graduates to carry the flag for the stud have been star Hong Kong sprinter Little Bridge (NZ) (Faltaat), who is already a Group Two winner and a real chance of imminent Group One success, and one of Singapore's best sprinters in Super Easy (NZ) (Darci Brahma) who is also a Group Two winner. Both horses won their first five starts in their adopted countries and look to have very big futures.

Wentwood Grange will present a total of six Darci Brahmas and two Faltaats in its quality consignment for 2012.

Among the property's headline acts for Karaka will be a son of Darci Brahma (NZ) out of the dual Group One Auckland Cup winner Prize Lady (NZ) (Prized) and the half sister to Awesome Planet (Giant's Causeway), winner of the Group Three Doomben Roses.

" The O'Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon) filly out of Markisa (NZ) (Danehill) is another cracker and could be a bit of a showstopper, " Hawkins said. Markisa (NZ) by Danehill, is a stakes placed daughter of Marquise (NZ) (Gold and Ivory) and her Zabeel (NZ) (Sir Tristram) colt made $NZ575,000 in 2010. " We also have a lovely Commands (Danehill) filly out of Ms Seneca Rock (Seneca Jones), who is a stakes winning American mare, and the High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells) colt out of The Quarewan (Supremo) is a stunner. " Wentwood Grange sold the half-brother by Shamardal (Giant's Causeway) earlier this year for $NZ325,000.

The draft also features a three-quarter sister by Faltaat (Mr. Prospector) to the Group Two Rich Hill Stud Mile winner Fears Nothing (NZ) (Faltaat) and a Pentire (Be My Guest) filly out of the Group Three Cuddle Stakes winner Leigh Valley (NZ) (Bianconi).

Every year Wentwood Grange presents everything they breed for sale providing of course that they are accepted by NZB for the Premier or Select sale and only race the those that are rejected or don't sell.

Under their Llanhennock Trust banner, the farm runs a racing team, on average of 10, and has enjoyed excellent success with the likes of the Bianconi (Danzig) mare Leigh Valley and her Kaapstad (Sir Tristram) half-sister Kruger Valley (NZ), who was a winner and finished fourth in the Group One New Zealand Oaks . Anne Carina (NZ) (Danske) won a stakes race in Australia and was runner-up in the Group Two Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and Group 1 winner Miss Raggedy Ann (NZ).

Aside from Darci Brahma, Wentwood Grange also has stallion shares in Miss Raggedy Ann's sire Faltaat, newcomer Showcasing, Perfectly Ready and Lucky Unicorn. " Faltaat has been a wonderful stallion for us," Hawkins said.

The Cambridge farm is also doing its bit to encourage first time ownership into well-credentialled young horses.

Through Wentwood Syndications we're getting people together, many of whom have never raced a horse to get involved for a bit of fun and hopefully have some success," Hawkins said " We're keeping the costs as low as possible, with the emphasis on entertainment and excitement and getting new people more involved in our industry."

Colts by Casino Prince and Stratum, who were passed in during the Premier Sale this year, have been syndicated among the 30 first timers.

Des and Janet Hawkins established Wentwood Grange in 2000 and their sons Dean, Leigh and Sean are all heavily involved. The operation is complemented by another property on Maungatautari Road, which takes the farm's total acreage to 410 (165ha). It is being used to accommodate mares and spellers. Previously home to deer, the land offers an ideal environment for thoroughbreds, with plenty of trees for shade and as it also backs on to the Waikato River it features desirable mineral rich pastures.

Wentwood Grange will be represented by 9 Premier lots and 13 Select lots.