Marky Mark wins NZ Sires’ Produce Stakes. Current Bonneval-based sire Makfi celebrated his first Group 1 win at the weekend as his son Marky Mark scored in his native New Zealand.

Already a Group 3 winner, Marky Mark enjoyed a perfect run in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni last Saturday, the richest two-year-old race in New Zealand. After settling behind the leaders on the rail, the progressive juvenile was driven into the lead a furlong from home and stuck well to his task to lift the seven furlong contest by a length.

Owned and bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Marky Mark was conceived during Makfi’s first shuttle season at Westbury Stud in New Zealand. He is out of Gr.2 placed mare My My Maree, a Testa Rossa half-sister to Gr.1 South Australian Derby winner Testafiable.

This top level Southern Hemisphere success for Makfi follows a highly promising season from his European first crop in 2014. The 2000 Guineas and Prix Jacques le Marois winner recorded a 41% ratio of winners to runners, with his successful progeny including Newmarket Gr.3 runner-up Astrelle and French Listed winner Cornwallville.

The son of Dubawi is based at the Aga Khan Studs Haras de Bonneval for the 2015 covering season, available at a fee of 17,500 Euros. He stands alongside Siyouni, who also accomplished an excellent season with his first juveniles last year, and Sinndar.

Updated on 31/03/2015.