The first New Zealand-based son of Makfi will go to stud this year with Savile Row to stand at Valachi Downs, the Matamata breeding operation of the stallion’s owner Kevin Hickman.
The four-year-old was trained at Ballymore Stables by Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard and won three races over 1200m, including the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m).
Savile Row was also a three-time Group One runner-up in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the Levin Classic (1600m).
“He was an easy horse to train, a beautiful-natured horse and still is,” Gerard said. “He is very correct with good bone and well-proportioned - big and strong, yet light on his feet and athletic.
“He’s an outstanding looking individual. If he stamps them and could leave foals that looked half as good as him, then they’re going to be very attractive to people.”
Savile Row is out of the winning Daylami mare Fleece and the family of the European Group One winners The Gurkha, Solemia and Silasol.
“He should cross well with a variety of mares including those from the Danehill sire line,” Valachi Downs’ general manager Jonathan Scully said.
“His family on both sides of the pedigree is renowned for its genuine traits, consistency as racehorses and obviously its fair share of talent, so with all that rolled into one we can’t wait to see Savile Row sons and daughters out racing.”
Savile Row’s sire Makfi was sold at the end of last season to Japan following a successful stint at Westbury Stud. His best Group One representatives have been the New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval, New Zealand Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa and the champion two-year-old Marky Mark.
“Kevin Hickman has been a great supporter of us and more importantly a wonderful supporter of New Zealand racing,” Westbury manager Russell Warwick said.
“Makfi has done a terrific job and Kevin was one of the big supporters of the horse and it’s quite fitting that he’s standing his first son at stud.”
Savile Row will stand at an introductory fee of $5000 + GST.
