History
Makybe was formerly one of the most productive wool-growing enterprises in Australia. The first sales of surveyed land in Victoria took place in 1840 and Sir Charles Nicholson was a successful bidder, becoming the first owner.
English Sea Captain, Captain Coltish was one of the pioneers of the early Victorian sheep industry. Captain Coltish was so impressed with the pastoral potential of the land around Geelong that he bought the land from Nicholson in 1847 and named it Roxby after his native village of Roxby in Lincolnshire, a name that stood for decades.
In 1990, Roxby passed into the hands of the Vizard family who developed it into one of Victoria‘s finest advanced sheep breeding and wool production properties.
Acquired by current owner Tony Santic in 2003, one of Australia‘s most successful tuna fisherman, Roxby took on a different turn. Santic renamed the property in honour of his champion Melbourne Cup winning mare, Makybe Diva® and has already experienced Group 1 and Listed winners as a breeder in just three years under the MAKYBE banner.
Santic has developed the property in to one of Australia‘s finest racing and breeding operations. With outstanding surroundings and first class facilities, MAKYBE today provides all commercial services to a number of clients including yearling preparation, agistment, foaling down facilities, weaning, handling and bloodstock management.
The original bluestone homestead, built between 1850 and 1890 is approx 70 squares and has been meticulously renovated and restored. Set amidst acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with a superb outlook, the site is now the MAKYBE office and Guest House.
Lying in the foothills of the Barrabool Hills with a six kilometer frontage of the Barwon River, MAKYBE is spread over 3200 acres and provides the perfect environment for a Racing and Breeding operation. Rolling hills, undulating paddocks, spelling yards, exceptional foaling facilities, on-site veterinarian, large, broad acre paddocks and a state of the art Stallion Barn, are just some of the highlights.
MAKYBE owners Tony and Deslee Santic are very much a part of the business with Tony dividing his time between the horses and his tuna business in Port Lincoln, whilst Deslee devotes her time to the Racing & Breeding as Operations Manager. Both share a passion for the industry and are an integral part of the MAKYBE team.
Following enormous success off the property, MAKYBE was crowned Victorian Breeder of the Year 2008 and was Leading Vendor by Average or Aggregate at all major yearling sales in 2009. MAKYBE last season successfully stood their foundation stallion Purrealist and last year introduced Street Hero, a Grade 1 winning son of Street Cry, here from Kentucky to stand this season alongside Purrealist in the MAKYBE Stallion Barn.
The history of this magnificent property located just 15 minutes from Geelong and one hour to Melbourne on the Princes Highway continues...
