Paul Makin set to return to racing on the Gold Coast
AUSTRALIAN racing owner Paul Makin is set to end his retirement from the industry after the 72-year-old revealed his plan of establishing a stable on the Gold Coast.
The veteran of over 780 racing wins said back in June of last year the traveling was becoming ‘too hard’ at his age, but opening a stable will provide the perfect opportunity to still be involved in the industry without enduring the hectic schedule.
Makin said he is looking forward to throwing his hat back into the ring, and has brought trainer Garry Newham out of retirement to help set up his new endeavour in the sunshine state.
“I’ve set up a racing stable down on the Gold Coast and we’re going to have a bit of fun,” he said.
“The trainer I’ve got [Newham] I’ve taken out of retirement – he has been driving a truck since Starcraft retired, he’s 65 now and he’s going to train these horses for me.”
One of the horses the pair will work with on the Gold Coast is well-bred Sky Kingdom.
By Coolmore’s deceased former shuttler Montjeu, Sky Kingdom is the first foal of the dual group 1-winning New Zealand mare We Can Say It Now, a daughter of Makin’s globetrotting Australian and European group 1-winner, Starcraft.
Formerly trained by champion English trainer William Haggas, Sky Kingdom has showed plenty of ability after winning two of its four starts, including the Group 3 Prix du Prince d’Orange in France.
Makin hopes Sky Kingdom may develop into a group 1 performer in Australia and one day retire to stud.
The Australian owner also has high hopes for Simannka, a daughter of Mastercraftsman from the Aga Khan Studs draft, which he paid over $287,000 AUD for at last week’s Goffs Sale.
Makin said he is optimistic about what the future could be for Simannka once she makes her way down under.
“I think she wants a mile and a quarter and that should go down well in Australia. She might win a nice race out there when the sunshine hits her back,” he said.