Savile Row to Stand at Valachi Downs

Media Release - Monday April 30

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.

Advertisement

"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. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

More Reading...

More Stakes Success for Storyville

The Grant and Alana Williams bred and trained Storyville led all the way in a bold change of tactics from champion hoop Willie Pike, which paid off brilliantly when the classy daughter of Overshare was able to hold off all challengers and post the fourth stakes win of her career in the Listed Starstruck Classic.

Four G1 HK International Cups in a Row for Romantic Warrior

Irish bred Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior produced a crowd pleasing victory in the Group I HK International Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, capturing this iconic race for a history making fourth time in a row.

Extreme Choice Colt wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus

What began as a bold new initiative in August 2024, the Inglis Xtra Bonus Series has rapidly grown into one of the most lucrative racehorse ownership incentive schemes in Australian racing history.

Aussie Bred Voyage Bubble Goes Back to Back in G1 HK International Mile

Torryburn Stud have bred and sold some great horses, but none better than Deep Field gelding Voyage Bubble, who scored a tenacious victory in the Group I HK International Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday for the second year in a row.

Australia Has Changed and It’s Time to Stand Up

I am someone that lives their life in a horse obsessed bubble. I can tell you anything you want to know about racing and thoroughbreds, but as to what happens in the wider world, I’m happy to leave others to commentate on that, but not in this case.

Zoustar 4YO Secures Stradbroke Start

There were three stakes races at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but strangely, the richest race on the card carries no Black Type, but offers something far more valuable as the winner of the $300,000 The Gateway (1400m) earns a golden ticket into the $3million Group I BRC Stradbroke Handicap in 2026.

New SW Maschino - Smooth Chino Makes it Six Straight

Prominent WA sire Maschino has got another good one!

French Trained Sea the Stars Stallion Wins G1 HK Vase

The big ones at Sha Tin kicked off on International Day with the Group I HK International Vase (2400m) for the stayers and in a year when the French have been on fire all around the world it was French trained Sea the Stars stallion Sosie that took the prize.

Sires With Winners - Sunday December 14

Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Ka Ying Rising Leads Kiwi Bred Domination of G1 HK International Sprint

It was a Kiwi bred first four in the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) on Sunday with raging hot favourite Ka Ying Rising extending his unbeaten sequence to 16 wins as fans and punters expected.