This year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix de la Foret victor Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}–Rosie's Posy {Ire}, by Suave Dancer) will stand at Ballylinch Stud next year for €20,000. The winner of four of his seven starts for owner Prince Faisal and trainer Andre Fabre, Make Believe was unbeaten at two and bested other standout 3-year-olds New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) in his two Group 1 wins. Make Believe wrapped up his career with a fifth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile Oct. 31.
“Make Believe has a lot to live up to as the last three stallions to retire to Ballylinch–Intense Focus, Lope De Vega and Dream Ahead–have all been in the top two in the first-season sires' table,” said Ballylinch Managing Director John O'Connor. “Interestingly he broke Dream Ahead's record when winning the Prix de la Foret. He's a miler with an awful lot of speed–Andre Fabre was considering him for the top sprints next year if he hadn't been retired to stud.”
“Prince Faisal retains shares in him but Ballylinch Stud has bought the rest and we plan to syndicate him, as we do with most of our stallions,” O'Connor continued. “Prince Faisal is going to support him with his very strong broodmare band and we're delighted that he has chosen to work with us in developing his stud career.”
O'Connor also pointed to the fact that Make Believe is a half-brother to Grade I winner Dubawi Heights (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
“I like strong female lines and his dam has already produced two Group 1 winners while his grand-dam was a stakes winner who has bred a Group 1 winner,” he said.
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