Group-one breakthrough for Makfi

The colt picked up Awapuni's Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, and in doing so became a first winner at the top level for Makfi. Resident at Tweenhills Farm and Stud for the past four years, Makfi is now standing at HH Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval in France, but sired Marky Mark during a shuttle trip to New Zealand's Westbury Stud.

Marky Mark, who is trained by Moira Murdoch for owner/breeders Brendan and Jo Lindsay, won the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie in January and was then fourth in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes at the same track earlier this month.

His win tees up an exciting year for Makfi, a Classic-winning miler and son of champion Dubawi. His initial European two-year-olds made a highly promising start in 2014 with a 40% wins-to-runs ratio. In a new partnership with HH Aga Khan he moved to Haras de Bonneval for the 2015 covering season to make him more easily available to French breeders.