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When we Brits use the word 'coup' it is almost exclusively to denote a notable achievement whereas the accurate translation, I'm led to believe, is "death-blow".
Well, little-known Tweenhills Stud, estab 18 years ago in Gloucestershire, UK, who have recently suffered body blows with the deaths of their stallions Ishiguru and Lucky Story, have achieved a real coup. They have whisked Mikel Delzangles' Newmarket Two Thousand Guineas winner Makfi from under the noses of the heavy hitters of Coolmore and Darley. Makfi is the most desirable of all young stallions on offer being by the ultra-fashionable Dubawi to add to his racecourse achievements. Makfi alone, in defeating Goldikova and Paco Boy in the Marois, recorded a victory this season as everlasting as Harbinger's King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.Though Tweenhills currently house Sleeping Indian and Trade Fair, their only Group One winner has been a Cheltenham (also in Gloucestershire) hurdle heroine, Lady Rebecca. The enormous sum Makfi cost (speculation is that the price approached £10m) has been paid by businessmen from Qatar not necessarily associated with the sponsors from that Gulf country of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. It was expected the tryst for Makfi would involve wooing from Coolmore, Darley or Japan. But the Japanese plumped for Harbinger. Had the Maktoums felt obliged to buy back for many millions a horse they had sold for 25,000gns, such a deal would have involved an awful loss of face - izzat - the worst indignity Arabs can suffer.
What actually happened was that a British company, Quintessentially, who introduce select clients to juicy opportunities for gratification, were fortunate enough to have an employee related to Tweenhills when the Qataris landed in London. Call it luck, serendipity, heureux but Tweenhills should certainly be in the money with Makfi.
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Frogwatch, by Rolf Johnson 
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