Charismatic and Classic-winning owner Paul Makin dies aged 82

Paul Makin, the charismatic Australian owner whose runners in Europe included the 2013 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita, has died at the age of 82.

Makin played a starring role in one of the most notable bloodstock events of recent times when he offered his entire portfolio of racing and breeding stock under the banner of the Paulyn Dispersal at the Goffs November Sale in 2013.

The famously quirky Chicquita, who once veered into a hedge with a race at her mercy, brought the house down when the hammer came down at €6 million in favour of Peter and Ross Doyle. The Classic-winning daughter of Montjeu remains the most expensive racehorse sold at public auction in Ireland.

"He was absolutely his own man," said Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby. "I dealt with him for his dispersal here - he knew what he wanted but he was a very charming, generous-spirited man, and he trusted us with what turned out to be one of the biggest day's in the company's history.

"We named a suite after him in Goffs and we'll never forget him because, as well as all the other good horses, there was Chicquita, who was the highest-priced horse ever sold in Ireland. It was an amazing day with an extraordinary atmosphere."

Irish Oaks winner Chicquita sells for €6 millionCredit: Patrick McCann

Chicquita, a half-sister to Ribblesdale Stakes scorer Magic Wand, was also second to Treve in the Prix de Diane and was third in the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes the following season for the Coolmore partners.

Despite the history-making dispersal, Makin later returned to racehorse ownership, a move that saw him acquire Racing Post Trophy scorer Marcel before his final run in the 2,000 Guineas in 2016. He later stood Marcel at the National Stud, and retained a share in the son of Lawman following his transfer to Anngrove Stud this year.

He also purchased La Figlia, a first-crop daughter of Frankel out of Finsceal Beo, for €1.8m as a foal in 2014.

Among those to carry Makin's colours in Australasia include Starcraft, winner of the 2004 Australian Derby, and Starcraft's daughter We Can Say It Now, a dual Group 1-winning miler in New Zealand.

Starcraft was later transferred to the care of Luca Cumani in Newmarket and went on to win the Prix du Moulin and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 2005, and as well as We Can Say It Now, he also sired the Blue Diamond and Coolmore Stud Stakes scorer Star Witness.

We Can Say It Now's three runners to date have all made an impression, led by the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange winner Sky Kingdom.

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