The hype behind Darley sires Dubawi and Shamardal is growing week by week.  Their oldest European stock are still only three year-olds but studmasters are already queuing up to stand their stakes winning sons.

The first Dubawi colt to retire to stud is 2010 English 2000 Guineas winner Makfi.  He will stand at Tweenhills Stud in England for a service fee of 25,000 pounds (AUD 40,855).

Makfi (3c Dubawi – Dhelaal by Green Desert) was last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth 1 Stakes won by Dubawi colt Poet’s Choice on September 25.  He bows out with four wins from six starts.  “His owners wanted to see him race again, but he has been on the go for more than a year,” Tweenhills studmaster David Redvers explained.  “He now has a dose of ringworm, and while it will clear up quickly, there is no guarantee he will be 100% for his next race.  At that level you have to be at the top of your game.”

Makfi won on debut at Fontainebleau last November and reappeared this year with a three-length victory in the G3 Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte.  He delivered at 33-1 shock in the English 2000 Guineas and won again at Group 1 level when beating Goldikova in the Prix du Jacques le Marois in August.

Makfi was bred by Sheikh Hamdan but was sold at the 2009 Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale for 26,000gns (AUD ).  He is from an unraced half-sister to Shadwell Estates colt Alhaarth (Unfuwain) who was a G1 winner of the Dewhurst Stakes.

Makfi appeals as a possible shuttler to Australia in future years.  Tweenhills resident Trade Fair shuttles to Western Australia and Ishiguru saw service in NZ and Australia prior to his demise last year.

Breeders will have to wait until next year for the chance to send their mares to Shamardal colt Lope De Vega.  Owner Dietrich von Boetticher has announced he will stay in training for 2011.

Lope De Vega (3c Shamardal – Lady Vettori by Vettori) emulated his sire when he completed the French 2000 Guineas -French Derby this year.  The Andre Fabre trained colt ran in the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday but was badly hampered in a scrimmage at the top of the straight.

“The Arc was Lope De Vega’s best run since the Derby,” von Boetticher said.  “He was still going well but received a bump that didn’t help his cause.  Then he received another and that was too much.  He will have a break and I will leave it to Andre to plan his programme for next year.”

Lope de Vega registered easy wins at Deauville and Longchamp as a two year-old before returning to complete the classic double this year.  He is out of the G3 winner Lady Vettori and is a half-brother to Listed winner Bal De La Rose (Cadeaux Genereux).