Westbury Stud is anticipating something special this season from the progeny of high profile shuttle stallion Makfi.

The first NZ-bred progeny by the son of Dubawi did their sire proud in 2014-2015 when he produced a G1 two-year-old winner Marky Mark from no more than a dozen starters.

“While he won as a two-year-old it was at three where Makfi excelled and as a son of Dubawi we felt that would also be the pattern with his offspring,”said Westbury Stud’s Russell Warwick.

“We were about right with the number of runners but certainly didn’t expect he would produce a Group One winner and champion two-year-old.”

The Moira Murdoch trained Marky Mark scored at G3 level at just his second start before finishing 4th in the G1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie. He rounded out his two-year-old season with victory in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni, enough to secure the title of Champion New Zealand 2YO.

Makfi also had other stakes performers Massa Lu and Sofia Rosa but despite their success Warwick says that crop has to show up in their all-important second season.

“This year is vital for him as it is his three-year-olds where we expect him to make his mark,” he said.

“His juvenile crop showed they were strong individuals so we are hoping that will translate well when it comes to the three-year-old classics that most successful sires are judged on.”

Stakes placed juvenile Sofia Rosa showcased her sire’s talents when she produced a stunning late run to score on the first day of the Hawkes Bay spring carnival.

Makfi served light books of between 65-100 mares in his first three seasons, reflecting the trend of New Zealand breeders to be hesitant about Northern Hemisphere sires until their progeny are tested under local conditions.

“Now Makfi has caught people’s attention and this year will serve a full book of 125 mares,” Warwick said.

“He is now at the stage where he he really needs winners at the top level both here and in Australia. We have had any number of good reports from some of Australasia’s leading trainers about his youngsters so it is going to be an exciting time.”