Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Most recently, Makarena (Snitzel) became the third stakes-performed filly from the mare, delivering a breakthrough victory in the G2 Golden Pendant over 1400 metres at Randwick on Saturday, further elevating the value of her bloodline.
Purchased by Arrowfield Stud as a maiden mare in 2014 at the Inglis Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale, Wecansay Mak has turned out to be a hidden gem in the breeding barn.
The daughter of Starcraft (NZ) is out of eight-time winner We Can’t Say That (NZ) (Generous {Ire}) and is a full sister to dual Group 1 winner We Can Say it Now, the dam of French Group 3 winner Sky Kingdom (Montjeu {Ire}). Wecansay Mak caught Arrowfield’s eye due to her impressive lineage and scopey build. As Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer explains, “We bought her relatively inexpensively at Newmarket, and she’s been a great producer for the farm.
Jon Freyer | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She is a sister to We Can Say It Now, who was a really talented Starcraft mare which was probably the biggest attraction for us. But not only that, she’s a nice big rangy, scopey type of mare. She is the kind of mare that we look for.
“Everything the mare has thrown has been quite talented. This is the third really good one out of the mare.”
Wecansay Mak’s influence at stud has been nothing short of remarkable. She is the dam of three stakes-performed fillies: Makarena, who recently held off Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) to win the Golden Pendant, as well as G1 Thousand Guineas runner-up and G3 Summoned S. winner Missile Mantra (Smart Missile), and G2 Queen of The South S. placegetter Maximak (Smart Missile).
Gallery: Wecansay Mak's stakes-performed progeny
These accomplishments have translated into impressive financial returns in the sales ring. Missile Mantra was initially purchased for $30,000 as a yearling but later sold for $950,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Similarly, Maximak was bought for $140,000 and later fetched $420,000 through an Inglis Digital auction.
With Makarena now earning over $755,000 on the track, Freyer notes that her value has skyrocketed: “Makarena is definitely a seven-figure mare already and beyond that, who knows.”
“Makarena is definitely a seven-figure mare already and beyond that, who knows.” - Jon Freyer
Wecansay Mak’s total sales record now stands at $890,000 for her offspring, with her most recent yearling, a Castelvecchio colt named Four Candles, being purchased for $150,000 - the colt is yet to have a start. Despite a few challenges in recent years, including missing to Dundeel (NZ) last spring, Freyer remains optimistic about the future. “She got covered again by Snitzel yesterday,” Freyer said, hoping for another successful foal.
“It’s a tough caper, breeding horses but hopefully we have a full relation to Makarena in the next year.”
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
This remarkable transformation from a $50,000 purchase to a proven producer of elite stakes performers speaks volumes about the value Wecansay Mak has brought to Arrowfield Stud.
Makarena, seems poised for further success, with the prestigious Golden Eagle race at Rosehill in November as her potential next target.
After falling agonisingly short on a couple of occasions during last Spring, the 4-year-old had connections dancing after settling on speed and holding off Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel by 1.17l to win the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on Saturday. Marking the 148th stakes winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Champion Sire, Snitzel.
A $250,000 purchase from the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Hawkes Racing, Makarena is the fourth foal of Wecansay Mak.
Freyer, who offered Makarena for sale was extremely happy with Saturday’s result, indicating that the farm was incredibly proud of the fillies the farm had been able to offer up in their 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft.
“Makarena has been terrific; she has obviously come back really well,” Jon Freyer said.
“The thing that pleases us so much is that she is from that (Inglis) Easter draft where we sold Autumn Angel, who goes to auction this week, Autumn Ballet, Estriella - it was a stellar draft of fillies all at the one sale.
“The thing that pleases us so much is that she (Makarena) is from that (Inglis) Easter draft where we sold Autumn Angel, Autumn Ballet, Estriella - it was a stellar draft of fillies all at the one sale.” - Jon Freyer
“She wasn’t far away in the Queen of the Turf so she looks an ideal horse for the Golden Eagle.”
With such a rich family pedigree, the future looks bright for both Wecansay Mak and her extraordinary offspring.
