THREE years ago Makfi (Dubawi) was sold to continue his stud career in Japan. The decision was something of a surprise, given the start the stallion had made at stud. Now there is more reason to feel that the move was a regrettable one, given that Mkfancy, a two-year-old member of his final European crop, is now a Group 1 winner, while Makfi’s best son, Ballylinch Stud’s Make Believe, has made an impressive start to his stallion career, with three of his successful 13 first-crop runners being stakes winners.

Europe’s champion three-year-old colt of 2010 and the world’s best miler of that year, Makfi had sired Group 1 winners in three different countries at the time of his sale to the Japan Bloodstock Breeders’ Association (JBBA) by Qatar Bloodstock. Winner of the Group 1 2000 Guineas and the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, his first crop included classic winner Make Believe.