Vale, Paul Makin

Tara Madgwick - Monday May 27
Paul Makin, the charismatic Australian owner breeder whose most famous runners included the 2004 AJC Australian Derby winner Starcraft and 2013 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita, has died at the age of 82.

A champion racehorse and Group I sire, Starcraft was a great favourite of Paul MakinMakin enjoyed high profile success in Australia and Europe with Starcraft, who joined the European stable of Luca Cumani to win Group I races in the UK and France before returning to retire to Arrowfield Stud.

In Europe he played a starring role in one of the most notable bloodstock events of recent times when he offered his entire portfolio of racing and breeding stock under the banner of the Paulyn Dispersal at the Goffs November Sale in 2013.

His Irish Oaks queen Chicquita was sold for €6 million in favour of Peter and Ross Doyle. The Classic-winning daughter of Montjeu remains the most expensive racehorse sold at public auction in Ireland.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 15
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 14
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Shamus Award Mare Quintessa Shooting for Another G1
Te Akau has been forced to take an unconventional path to Ellerslie with Quintessa and are confident the high-class mare will strip in the best possible order, given the circumstances.
Facile Victory By Ole Kirk’s Regal Award At Caulfield
Breaking his maiden in style two starts back over 1300m at Sandown, the Phillip Stokes trained Ole Kirk gelding Regal Award appreciated the 1600m on Wednesday at Caulfield, pulling clear to win the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Handicap by seven and a half lengths.
$1.35m Easter Purchase Chicama Wins Warwick Farm Opener
A half-brother to Champion 3YO Filly Shoals (Fastnet Rock), Written Tycoon colt Chicama appreciated not only the step up to 1400m for the first time to break his maiden, but a change to the Joe Pride yard appears to have also done the trick.
First SW for Sword of State - Torture Wins Debutant
Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes have unleashed another promising juvenile when two-year-old filly Torture proved too good for her rivals on debut in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield providing a dream result for Cambridge Stud based first season sire Sword of State.
Melbourne Cup Dream Hangs in Balance for Sharp 'n' Smart
Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) campaign hangs in the balance, with his performance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie dictating whether he continues on that path.
Black Type Next for Exciting Hello Youmzain Filly
Kelly Van Dyk’s Prima Park Bloodstock will be represented on both sides of the Tasman this week, from the sales ring in Sydney to the big stage at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Stunning Frankel Stallion Diego Velasquez Retired to National Stud
A memorable winner of the 2025 Group I Prix Jacques le Marois, flashy Frankel stallion Diego Velasquez has been retired and will take up stud duties at the National Stud in 2026.
Wootton Verni Wins G3 Coongy Cup
The late Wootton Basset was one of those stallions whose progeny can excel over all distances and we saw a taste of it at Caulfield on Wednesday when his French bred five year-old Wootton Verni (Fr) won the $240,000 Group III MRC Coongy Cup (2000m).