Make Believe rides Mishriff's coattails to top of earnings list

Entering this week’s Royal Ascot meeting, one of the major events on the international calendar, Make Believe and his grandsire Dubawi lead the European sires list by earnings – although Make Believe’s accomplishments are largely attributable to one horse.

Two-time French Group 1 winner Make Believe, by Dubawi’s champion son Makfi, stands at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland. He leads his grandsire by a wide margin on the earnings list, with $13,180,968 to $8,297,432 through Sunday, according to Equineline statistics. However, more than $12 million of Make Believe’s bankroll belongs to Mishriff, his lone graded/group stakes winner this season and winner of the Saudi Cup and then the Sheema Classic in Dubai.

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Irish classic winner Dubawi, from the lone crop of Dubai Millennium, leads European stallions with 10 graded/group stakes winners this season for Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in England. His top earner this season is Lord North, winner of the Dubai Turf and expected to make an appearance at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.