Winning Run Continues for Maktoob in Sale Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday October 29

Backed into odd-on favouritism, Maktoob (GB) took an uncomfortably long time to run down the game pacesetter Keats (IRL), but he did it professionally in the end to earn a maiden stakes success in Sunday’s $200,000 Listed Ladbrokes Sale Cup (1600m).

Building an imposing record (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Given the run of the race by Blaike McDougall, the Simon Zahra-trained imported son of Awtaad (IRE), defeated the Galileo gelding Keats, a three-quarter brother to Churchill (IRE), by three-quarters of a length with the Iffraaj (GB) gelding Riyazan (IRE) one and a quarter lengths back in third.

With his fourth win in seven starts in Australia, Maktoob (GB) advances his overall record to five wins and two thirds from 10 starts with earnings of $276,569.

The winner of one of three starts when trained in England by David Simcock, Maktoob (GB) was a private purchase for Cameron Cooke Bloodstock.

Advertisement

“Could not have scripted much better,” McDougall said.

“Full credit to Simon Zahra and the team at home.

“He’s progressive, and they are still learning about him. It is his second prep, and he was well-found by Cameron Cooke and was well-placed today.

“I’m sure he will keep stepping up as the bar rises. He is a very sound, genuine, middle-distance staying type.”

Purchased as an unraced 2yo for 50,000 gns by agent Colm Sharkey at Tattersalls in 2021, Maktoob (GB) won on debut at Wolverhampton on debut at three before failing at his next two starts.

Happy days for team Maktoob (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Bred by Shadwell, he is out of the unraced Dansili mare Mudawanah, a sister to Group III winner Talaayeb, and a half to dual Group III winner and multiple Group II placed Muntazah (Dubawi) and stakes winner Wadilsafa (Frankel) and stakes-placed Ojooba (Dubawi).

Mudawanah’s stakes-winning dam Rumoush (Rahy) finished third to Snow Fairy in the 2010 Epsom Oaks.  

Maktoob (GB) is the 11th stakes-winner for Derrinstown Stud’s Irish Two Thousand Guineas winner Awtaad (IRE) (Cape Cross).

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Sale Cup LR 1600m

Sale Track: Good(3) Time: 1:35.74
1
Maktoob
- 5g Awtaad (IRE) x Mudawanah (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Simon Zahra Rdr: B Mc Dougall 54
2
0.8
Keats
- 7g Galileo (IRE) x Airwave (GB) (Air Express (IRE))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: Beau Mertens 57.5
3
2.0
Riyazan
- 9g Iffraaj (GB) x Riyaba (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: Vincent Hall Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
4
2.5
Starspangled Baby
- 6m Starspangledbanner (AUS) x See My Baby (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Perdon Rdr: Teodore Nugent 54
5
5.3
Deepstrike
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Obey (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: D Yendall 55
6
6.0
Rubamos
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Oriental Ruby (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 58
7
6.4
Fine Weather
- 6g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Celtic Cutie (IRE) (Teofilo (IRE))
Tnr: D J Walkley Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
8
12.4
Flying Basil
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Ready Cuz (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Jackson Pallot Rdr: C Newitt 54.5
9
14.2
Seafield Road
- 7g Onemorenomore (AUS) x Fault Zone (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: N J Harnett Rdr: Tatum Bull 54
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Friday morning featured a couple of juvenile heats and both winners came out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions with one topping the sale at $2.8million and the other selling for a modest $150,000.
A Century of NZB National Yearling Sales Success: Cox Plate
Moonee Valley’s A$6m Group One WS Cox Plate (2040m) is known as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and has been won by many of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
Good News Week for Geisel Park
Geisel Park’s black-type mare Laced Up Heels is in foal off a maiden cover to Champion Australian Sire Zoustar and an orphan foal has found a new mum.
Coolmore Favs get the Flemington Straight Experience in Jump Outs
Beiwacht, Beadman and Skyhook, three of the top four in the market for next month’s Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes had a jump out down the Flemington straight on Friday with Beadman quite the eye-catcher.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.
Magic Millions First Digital Sale - Opportunities Aplenty
Bidding is now open for the first Magic Millions Digital Sale with opportunities across all levels of the market for prospective buyers.
Winning Return for Blueblood I Am Invincible Filly
Last seen finishing an unlucky fourth in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May, speedy I Am Invincible filly Sisstainable returned from a spell at Moonee Valley on Friday night to score a tenacious win.