Deep Impact Stallion Wins G1 Makybe Diva

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 12

A close third in the Group I ATC Winx Stakes when resuming from a spell, the Matthew Smith trained Deep Impact stallion Fierce Impact (Jpn) had a little fitness edge over some of his key rivals in the Group I VRC Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday and he used it to good effect.

Advertisement

Fierce Impact beats Russian Camelot to win the G1 Makybe Diva - image Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

Well ridden by Mark Zahra, Fierce Impact started favourite and came with a perfectly timed run to outpoint last year’s SA Derby winner Russian Camelot and win by a short neck

It was the third Group I win at a mile for Fierce Impact, who took out the MRC Toorak Handicap and VRC Cantala Stakes last spring.
 



“I thought I was going to win easier, but obviously Russian Camelot is a very good horses,” said Mark Zahra.

The Cox Plate is a possibility for Fierce Impact, whose best wins have been at 1600m, although he did win the Group III ATC Summer Cup over 2000m in 2018.

“He’s got a very good trainer and at this time of year if you’re going good, why not see,” he added.

Fierce Impact - image Natasha Morello / Racing Photos

Fierce Impact was consigned to the 2017 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale where he was purchased by his trainer for 120,000 guineas.

It’s been an inspired purchase as Fierce Impact now has the overall record of six wins and 11 placings from 27 starts with prizemoney topping $3.1million doing an outstanding job for his ownership group that includes Seymour Bloodstock and Frank Cook in whose colours he runs.

The blue-blooded stallion has an impressive pedigree as a full brother to Japanese Group I winner Keiai Nautique from Group III winner Keiai Gerbara, a grand-daughter of US Group III winner Edge.





 

Advertisment

Race Result - Makybe Diva Gr1 1600m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:36.33
1
Fierce Impact
- 7h Deep Impact (JPN) x Keiai Gerbera (JPN) (Smarty Jones (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: M Zahra 59
2
0.2
Russian Camelot
- 4h Camelot (GB) x Lady Babooshka (GB) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D Oliver 57.5
3
1.7
So Si Bon
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Black Minx (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 59
So You Think
4
1.8
Master Of Wine
- 6g Maxios (GB) x Magma (GER) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: M Rodd 59
5
1.9
Dalasan
- 4h Dalakhani (IRE) x Khandallah (AUS) (Kitten's Joy (USA))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: Jordan Childs 58.5
6
2.6
Harlem
- 9g Champs Elysees (GB) x Casual (GB) (Nayef (USA))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: J Mott 59
7
3.1
Warning
- 4g Declaration Of War (USA) x Livia (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: W Egan 58.5
8
3.2
Perfect Jewel
- 6m Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Star Encounter (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 57
9
4.7
Vow And Declare
- 5g Declaration Of War (USA) x Geblitzt (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Craig Williams 59
10
4.9
Kings Will Dream
- 7g Casamento (IRE) x Road Harbour (USA) (Rodrigo De Triano (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 59
11
5.1
Levendi
- 6h Pierro (AUS) x Lipari (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Gelagotis Rdr: J Maskiell 59
12
6.1
Princess Jenni
- 5m High Chaparral (IRE) x Glitzabeel (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: D R Brideoake Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
13
7.1
Gailo Chop
- 10g Deportivo (GB) x Grenoble (FR) (Marignan (USA))
Tnr: M J Williams Rdr: John Allen 59
14
8.4
Quick Thinker
- 4h So You Think (NZ) x Acouplamas (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M J Dee 58.5
15
58.4
Miami Bound
- 4m Reliable Man (GB) x Arapaho Miss (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: B Melham 56.5
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Spring racing is just around the corner and a busy set of trials at Randwick on Friday featured eight heats won by juveniles with winners including stakes horses The Playwright and Cobra Club as well as unraced youngsters by Justify (USA), I Am Invincible and Flying Artie.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 11
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Two powerful additions announced for Equate 2025
The countdown to Equate '25 just got even more exciting. Australasia's number one innovation event for the thoroughbred industry has announced two brand-new sessions that bring together transparency, technology, and tangible takeaways for all attendees.
Bloodstockauction 2025 Stallion Cover Charity Auction
Bloodstockauction Stallion Cover Charity Auction is on again this year seeking to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney.
Willydoit Data Surprise - Sprinter or Stayer?
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit.
Justify Strikes at Newmarket with New G3 Winner
The Group III Bahrain Trophy Stakes ((1m5f) at Newmarket overnight produced a runaway winner in Scandinavia and while his sire Justify no longer shuttles to Australia, two of his sons will be on the roster at Coolmore this spring in City of Troy (IRE) and Storm Boy.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 10
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bred to be Good - So You Think x More Joyous
It sounds like a match made in heaven, a colt by two time Cox Plate winning sire So You Think from eight time Group I winner More Joyous, and this 2YO is slated to make his debut in New Zealand this weekend,  
Debut 2YO Winner for Brutal
Fresh from siring a smart metro winner at Sandown on Wednesday in Brutalina, Brutal was in the frame at Scone on Friday where Brett Cavanough unleashed a promising two year-old debut winner in Bird Whistle.
Melbourne Racing Club Unveils Major Spring Racing Enhancements
Racing Victoria has confirmed prize money allocations for the 2025-2026 season and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced some exciting race program changes and prizemoney increases that, together with other great initiatives at Flemington and Moonee Valley, reinforce the position of Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival at the forefront of international racing.