News

Handsome colt with a dam fine mother

2nd Apr 2009

The Australian - Brendan Cormick - Friday, 3 April 2009

AS thoroughbreds go, this colt is Brad Pitt and David Beckham rolled into one.

In the week the autumn carnival ramps up with the Golden Slipper Stakes at Sydney's Rosehill, this is the most photographed horse in Sydney, and he hasn't even seen a racecourse. He doesn't even have a name.

You may not know him, but you would have heard of his mother. Makybe Diva is the only horse in almost 150 years to win three Melbourne Cups, and this is her first foal. His father is Galileo, who won six of his eight starts, including the Derby in England and Ireland.

More than 5000 thoroughbred followers, including an international buying bench representing the world's leading owners, will be on hand to watch Lot 90 go under the hammer at Randwick in eastern Sydney on Sunday, the opening day of the Inglis Easter yearling sale.

Dean Harvey, bloodstock manager for owner Tony Santic's Makybe racing and breeding operation, said photographers and television camera crews had been lining up for the yearling.

The colt wouldn't be out of place at any sale in the world, and is expected to fetch a seven-figure price tag. "He's a big, strong colt for a first foal," Harvey said.

"He's got a great attitude, is a headline horse and is very popular. It will be a packed auditorium when he goes in, but he's got an air of confidence about him."

Makybe Diva's son is there to be sold, and Harvey says a realistic reserve has been put on his head. But don't be surprised if Santic keeps a share, depending on who buys him.

And a half-brother to Makybe Diva, by Australia's most expensive stallion Redoute's Choice, will be sold next week in Sydney. He is a brother to Musket, who sold at the Easter yearling sale for $2.5 million in 2005. Over three days, more than 600 of the finest horses will be traded, and Inglis chief Mark Webster said the 2009 catalogue was the best ever.