He’s One for the Classics With victories in 35% of Australian Group 1 races for 3 year olds in the past five seasons, along with winning half of all the Group 1 races run at The Championships, it is no wonder why so many International purchasers assemble in Karaka, south of Auckland, in pursuit of the finest bloodstock New Zealand has to offer. We were fortunate to acquire a quality colt by an emerging sire for which Gai has Classic intentions. The old expression of “The cream always rises to the top”, whereby something will naturally rise to the top because of their underlying greatness symbolises the career path of exciting young sire Makfi. Bred by Shadwell Estates in the United Kingdom, the son of ‘Sire Sensation’ Dubawi was deemed surplus to their requirements in the autumn of his 2 year old year having failed to appear at a racetrack. However, just over 6 months later, he was one of the most prized stallion prospects in the world claiming victory in the Group 1 English 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, one of only 3 annual British Classic races for colts leaving four subsequent Group 1 winners chase him home. He followed up this victory with a commanding display against a field of older and more experienced rivals in Europe’s richest mile race, the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, defeating fourteen time Group 1 winner Goldikova as well as Paco Boy, a three time winner at the highest level. He retired to stud as the World Champion 3 year old and the World Champion Miler, rated superior to the likes of So You Think, Black Caviar, Zenyatta and his Champion sire Dubawi.

Makfi has continued his success through to his stallion career as his first dual crop of progeny have hit the ground running, so to speak! He has sired three Group 1 winners including this season’s brilliant Australian Oaks conqueror Sofia Rosa in addition to New Zealand Champion Juvenile, Marky Mark and dual Group 1 record breaker Make Believe. Having produced Make Believe to win a Guineas, Makfi has followed in the footsteps of his illustrious sire Dubawi and grandsire Dubai Millenium. He is one of the most exciting stallions shuttling between hemispheres and Gai was ecstatic to attain such a beautiful, powerful son of Makfi from the sale in New Zealand, her only purchase of the whole sale:

“This colt has an abundance of presence, well built with real athleticism when he parades. He has the pedigree and the looks, a real classic type of individual.”

As with his sire, his mother is an extremely well-bred individual being a daughter of arguably the world’s greatest sire, Sadler’s Wells, from an esteemed family of Group 1 performers. The Sadler’s Wells legacy continues to live on through his illustrious sons such as Galileo along with his daughters’ marvellous record in producing champions. Six times champion broodmare sire, Sadler’s Wells has produced more stakes winners in that capacity than any other sire in history. This Makfi colt’s celebrated pedigree include a host of Group 1 performers including top flight victors Pear Tart, Aube Indienne and Erupt, a son of Dubawi, while his dam is a full sister to the Group 1 placed Sensible. The pedigree cross between Dubawi and Sadler’s Wells continues to flourish, particularly in Europe. While Makfi remains Dubawi’s highest rated racehorse, Dubawi has sired Classic winner Night of Thunder, Dubai World Cup hero Monterosso and triple Group 1 winner Hunter’s Light, all from Sadler’s Wells sired dam lines to give Gai further encouragement to the calibre of horse she has succeeded in purchasing.

This is a really exciting colt going into next season. We has done extremely well in his preparation, initially under the tutelage of our master breaker Ryan Prendergast. In the interim, he has continued to impress Gai in all she has asked of him, taking everything in his stride from track work to his barrier education. He is a colt that oozes class to endorse his esteemed pedigree and appears to be considerable value having improved substantially since his arrival to Tulloch Lodge from New Zealand.