Makfi (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Dhelaal {GB}, by Green Desert), Europe's champion 3-year-old colt of 2010 and sire of Group 1 winners in three different countries, has been sold and will stand the 2017 breeding season in Japan following a sale to the Japan Bloodstock Breeders' Association (JBBA) by his previous owners, Qatar Bloodstock. Narvick International's Emmanuel de Seroux brokered the deal on behalf of the JBBA.
Winner of the G1 English 2000 Guineas and the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois in his championship season, Makfi retired to stud the following year and from his first crop, was represented by Make Believe (GB), sensational in annexing the 2015 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de la Foret en route to French highweight honors.
Makfi initially stood at Tweenhills Stud and, in partnership with the Aga Khan Studs, stood his last two Northern Hemisphere seasons at Haras de Bonneval in France. He also shuttled to serve mares at Westbury Stud in New Zealand and from his Southern Hemisphere crops sired G1SW Marky Mark (Aus), New Zealand's champion 2-year-old of 2015; and Sofia Rosa (NZ), the 2016 G1 Australian Oaks victress, who is also a dual group winner and Group 1-placed in New Zealand.
“We will be sad to see Makfi go as he was the first stallion purchased by Qatar Bloodstock and he means a lot to Sheikh Fahad and all the team,” commented Qatar Bloodstock Manager David Redvers. “However, from a commercial perspective the deal made good sense and we wish the JBBA the best of luck with him. I am sure he will continue to thrive at stud.”
Added Westbury Stud's General Manager Russell Warwick, “It will be very sad to lose Makfi from the Southern Hemisphere breeding world ,as he has made an immediate impact with his progeny. Makfi has a number of exciting prospects sitting in the wings and there is no doubt his presence in this part of the world will continue for many a year to come after standing for six seasons at Westbury, providing breeders access to a world-class son of the great Dubawi.”
Georges Rimaud, manager of the Aga Khan Studs said: “We are sorry Makfi will not be coming back to Haras de Bonneval and he will be missed in France, where he was represented by his first Group 1 winner in Make Believe. He was well supported by breeders and his legacy in Europe will be further enhanced by his forthcoming crops of runners.”
To date, Makfi is the sire of 158 individual winners, including six group winners among his 11 overall black-type winners. His progeny have earned in excess of £5.5 million worldwide.
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