CAP FERRAT a Close Relation to MAKYBE DIVA wins HK Derby

24 Mar 25

Jockey Craig Williams summed this win up. “Mate, you broke your maiden in the Derby. Good boy.”

CAP FERRAT returns to scale

That was heard from the rider as he chatted to his mount after he’d won the Hong Kong Derby aboard a horse that’s closely related to Makybe Diva.

Despite being dual Gr1 placed in Sydney, the $1.4 million yearling was still a maiden, not having won a race in his prior 16 starts.

The horse in question, CAP FERRAT, was purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from Arrowfield Stud.

C’Est Beau La Vie - Stakes winning Dam of CAP FERRAT

A Snitzel son from stakes winner C’Est Beau La Vie, she is a daughter of Group 3 winner Valkyrie Diva, who’s a half-sister to the legend - Makybe Diva.

MAKYBE DIVA

Sent to Waller in the ownership of the Coolmore Stud and partners stallion syndicate, he showed obvious talent, but was moved along as a horse with racing potential but not stallion potential. He was a perfect Hong Kong Derby contender so he wouldn’t have come cheap.

As a spring three-year-old in Australia, he finished third in the Group 2 Gloaming Stakes (1800m), then second to Tom Kitten in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

In the autumn he was third in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas to Riff Rocket and finished sixth behind the same horse in the Australian Derby at his final Australian start.
That was when he left Australia, transferred to HK trainer Francis Lui, and then gelded.

Given one start last season, he kicked off this season with a rightfully ambitious campaign, starting second favourite in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, finishing 12th then 9th behind Rubylot in the HK Classic Cup, both from wide gates.

However, CAP FERRAT drew gate 2 for the Derby, zoomed up the rails and won.

CAP FERRAT winning the HK Derby

On the line he held off fast finishing My Wish (Flying Artie) in a photo, with Packing Angel (Shocking) third.

CAP FERRAT is the second Coolmore sourced horse in a row to win the Hong Kong Derby, with last year’s winner, Massive Sovereign (No Nay Never x Sweet Charity) being a northern hemisphere buy for Coolmore at Goffs Orby sales that was then sold privately into Hong Kong.

CAP FERRAT has a full brother be offered at Inglis Easter by Arrowfield as Lot 312

Arrowfield Stud Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer was understandably delighted with the win.

“He was an outstanding yearling and was competitive with the best 3YOs in Australia when he raced for Coolmore,” said Freyer.

“The win this evening was far from a surprise to us as he clearly has the ability, he just needed more luck that what he had enjoyed on his first few starts in Hong Kong.”

C’Est Beau La Vie foaled a colt by Snitzel last season and was served by Dundeel.

Dynamic Syndications purchased a close relation to CAP FERRAT at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales this year.

It was a filly by Golden Slipper winner STAY INSIDE from DEMAND ATTENTION.

Our filly is the Granddaughter of MAKYBE DIVA.

We gave our filly to JASON DEAMER to prepare for us and we are delighted to advise that her full team of co-owners have just seen their pedigree page increase in commercial value thanks to this win by CAP FERRAT.

Timing is everything!

Onwards and Upwards – Forever Forward!