Maltese Cross is the third foal out of Nabatea (Camelot), who won at four. Her first foal was Namouria (Adlerflug), a winner at three who was twice Listed-placed in Germany. Nabatea is a half-sister to the champion Nutan (Duke Of Marmalade), winner of the Gr.1 Deutsches Derby and a sire, to the champion Nymphea (Dylan Thomas), winner of the Gr.1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, and to the Group 3 winner Navaro Girl (Holy Roman Emperor), third in the Gr.1 Prix Jean Romanet. Another black-type half-sibling is the Listed winner Nazbanou (High Chaparral), dam of two stakes winners including Nerik (Ruler Of The World), second in the Gr.1 Grosser Preis von Berlin.

The second dam Neele (Peintre Celebre) won twice and was second in a Group 3 race in Germany. She is a full sister to Night Of Magic, winner of the Gr.2 Oaks d'Italia.

The third dam Night Teeny (Platini) won at three and produced Night Of Magic (Peintre Celebre). She is a half-sister to Night Petticoat (Petoski), winner of the Preis der Diana, then a Gr.2, and dam of the champion Next Desert (Desert Style), winner of the Gr.1 Deutsches Derby and a sire, and of the champion Next Gina (Perugino), winner of the Gr.1 Preis der Diana.

Night Of Magic is the dam of the champion Nightflower (Dylan Thomas), twice a winner of the Gr.1 Preis von Europa, and of the champion Nachtrose (Australia), a second winner of the Gr.2 Oaks d'Italia. The family also includes Intellogent (Intello), winner of the Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat.

Nabatea has an unraced two-year-old colt, Prince Of Petra (Persian King), and a yearling filly who is a full sister to Maltese Cross.