Dubawi colt Makfi made a powerful statement when he defeated Goldikova in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

In addition to dethroning the defending champion, Makfi completed a three-generation sweep of the Marois.  His sire Dubawi (2005) and grandsire Dubai Millennium (1999) also captured the Marois as three year-olds.

Makfi caused a boilover in the G1 English 2000 Guineas in May but his reputation suffered a setback when he was unplaced in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.  He pulled up with a throat infection but trainer Mikel Delzangles made sure there were no excuses at Deauville.

“He put that Ascot trip behind him, and we knew he was in terrific form before the race,” Delzangles said.  “He acted on the ground better than the others.” According to the trainer, his next run could be in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on September 5.  The Queen Elizabeth at Ascot and Breeders’ Cup Mile are also on the longer-term radar.

Given a textbook ride by Christophe Soumillon, Makfi tracked Goldikova for most of the way.  The Anabaa mare has 10 Group 1 trophies in the cabinet and, although she drove to the front, there wasn’t the same explosive acceleration as last year.

Goldikova was unable to pull away on the very soft ground while Makfi handled it perfectly well.  Powering home on the back of a telling change of gear, he swept to the front and won by 2.5 lengths.   

Makfi won on debut winner at Fontainebleau last November and reappeared with a three-length victory in the G3 Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte.  Next time out, he delivered at 33-1 shock in the English 2000 Guineas before failing at Royal Ascot.

Darley sire Dubawi got the Marois winner from an unraced half-sister to G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Alhaarth (Unfuwain).  Bred by Shadwell Estates, Makfi was culled by trainer Marcus Tregoning and was sold to his current connections at the Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale for 26,000gns.

Dubase added a Listed win for Dubawi on Sunday when she won the Grand Handicap de Deauville (1600m).  She has been first past the post at all three starts this year but was disqualified after winning at Longchamp in May.  

Dubase (3f Dubawi — Se Me Va by Bahri) is a homebred for Mme Africa Cuadra-Lores and becomes the 13th stakes winner for her sire who is having a year off from shuttling to Darley Australia in 2010.

Dubawi’s other Group winners this year include G2 King Edward VII Stakes winner Monterosso, G2 Italian Derby winner Worthadd and G2 Prix Robert Papin winner Irish Field.

Monterosso is from Australian G1 winning mare Porto Roca and he gets another chance to boost Dubawi’s season on Tuesday in the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.  He was beaten last time out in the G1 German Derby.