Stakes winning mare Malaika has been booked for an early-season cover to Americain this spring.

West Australian owner-breeders Tony and Kerry Cockburn retired Malaika after her barnstorming win in the Listed Pinjarra Cup (2300m) in March.  “I think we have the right mare to go to Americain and produce a top stayer,” Tony Cockburn said.  “She had stamina and a quick turn-of-foot.”

Malaika (Fighting Falcon – Our Annabel by Lucratif) was known for her powerhouse finishing bursts winning 6 races and earning $269,000 in prizemoney.  “She’s a courageous little mare,” trainer Donna Baillie said after Pinjarra Cup.  “She’s been stakes placed twice at Ascot and deserved to win a black-type race.”

The Cockburns won a Listed Belmont Park Cup with her dam Our Annabel in 1996.  Her sire Fighting Falcon (USA) represents the Northern Dancer line and was a Group 3 winner at Hollywood Park before retiring to Heytesbury Stud.

Americain (USA) is currently in quarantine after covering his second northern book at Calumet Farm in Kentucky.  He will be back at Swettenham Stud in time for its annual stallion parade on Sunday, August 31.

Americain covered 155 mares in his first book at Swettenham last year.  He will stand for a $13,750 (inc gst) fee in 2014.