IGUGU : A JEWEL BY ANY OTHER NAME

Igugu
(Photo : JC Photographics)

“ANDRE MACDONALD…
A RACING INSTITUTION”

“Igugu” means treasure or a jewel in Zulu, and this one’s appropriately named. Buyers will tell you, naming Australian yearlings can be a nightmare, given their 16 000-odd foals a year and racing’s prohibition against two horses with the same name.

So, if you want to register in a hurry (they have to get through our registrar, as well as the Oz Keeper of the Studbook,) a Zulu name generally gets the job done, because they’re not enormously popular Down Under.

Igugu happens to be a daughter of the European Champion sire, Galileo (destined to pick up his 2^nd title this year) from the Aga Khan family of the world’s best racehorse of 2008, the unbeaten Zarkava, and yesterday at the Vaal, she did both her name and her pedigree justice.

Four lengths was the margin of demolition, and it’s entirely conceivable that by Sunday morning, the 7^th November, she might’ve repaid in full the hefty R1 million Andre Macdonald shelled out for her from the Summerhill draft at last year’s Emperors Palace Ready To Run sale, when she lines up for the R1,5 million Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup prize that goes with the race of the associated name

Macdonald is a racing institution, and if anyone deserves it, he does. He’s been around for decades, and the extent of his financial commitment to the game matches the longevity of his involvement.

While it’s been documented before, it’s worth repeating : “Mac” ended up with this one (Igugu) at a round million after bowing out at R2 million for Uthawini (another Galileo filly) following a protracted dual with one of Dubai’s Sheikhs. Here was a man, like us of modest beginnings, taking on one of the most powerful dynasties on earth, and giving best only when the cash register had rung up the second million. And then, as if justice had decreed it, ending with what looks like a bit of a star in the making - or should we say, a “jewel”.

For more information please visit :
www.summerhill.co.za

2009 EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE IMPRESSES

Top Lot 100 Uthawini (by Galileo)
Photo : Jean Stanley

2009 EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE
GOSFORTH PARK, SOUTH AFRICA
RESULTS 

The 2009 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale ended on a high note at the TBA Sales Complex, Gosforth Park, on Sunday night when last year’s phenomenal record aggregate of R26.74 million was marginally bettered and the average price per lot was well up on the 2008 figure.

The event realized a turnover of R27.155 million, up 1.5% on last year and the only major sale to have improved its aggregate amidst the worldwide economic slump this year. The average price was up 9.4% to R189,895 from R173,636 and the highest price paid of R2.1 million fell just short of last year’s R2.2 million.

“We are very pleased,” said Mick Goss of Summerhill Stud, who had consigned 108 of the 163 lots on offer. “With more fillies than colts for sale this year we thought that the sale might yield lower figures, yet if one looks at how well fillies are performing in the Ready To Run Cup it is hardly surprising that buyers don’t shy away from the females!”

Mike de Kock paid the sale’s top price of R2.1 million for Galileo’s daughter Uthawini. She was bought for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum “She has everything, pedigree, looks and conformation,” De Kock said. “Galileo stands at something like 300,000 Euros which shows you that this can be considered a bargain.”

Prominent owner Andre Macdonald, the under-bidder on Uthawini, secured the only other Galileo on the sale, paying R1 million for Igugu. “You win some and you lose some,” said Mr Macdonald, but I am very happy with the one I got.”

Champion trainer Charles Laird and patron Markus Jooste, active with 11 buys, paid R900 000 for Street Cry’s daughter Emakhaya and Laird said : “This filly hasn’t got a great dam line, but I loved her as a specimen and she moves really well too.” “We are pleased to have got the bid knocked down to us.”

De Kock was the top buyer at the sale by aggregate and by average. He signed for 6 lots, totaling R4.095 million at an average of R682 500 per purchase.

Summerhill’s stalwart Kahal was the top sire by aggregate, his 16 lots realizing R4.795 million.

“We are thrilled and in fact surprised with these results,” commented Caroline Simpson, Sales Manager of BloodStock SA, who conducted the auction.

BSA’s CEO Jan Naude added: “There are lots of positives to be taken from the figures and the clearance rate of over 90%, which is on a par with 2008.” “Notwithstanding the economic downturn, thoroughbred sales in South Africa continue to perform extremely well.”

For further information contact BSA’s CEO - Jan Naude or Sales Manager - Caroline Simpson - +27(0)11 323 5700.

 

EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE
For more information please visit :

www.tba.co.za and www.summerhill.co.za

GALILEO FILLIES : FAMILIES OF ZARKAVA AND TRISCAY

Igugu (Galileo x Zarinia) and Uthawini (Galileo x Tramore)
(Please click photos to enlarge…)

GALILEO
EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE
8 NOVEMBER 2009 

Champion 3yo in Europe, winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and ‘King George’. One of the best looking and most well bred sires at stud, he is already a Champion sire with over 40 Stakes winners, including 10 Group 1 winners; such as Soldier Of Fortune (Irish Derby – Gr.1), Sixties Icon (St Leger), Nightime (1000 Guineas) and New Approach (Derby – Gr.1) from his first 3 crops to race.

We have two well bred fillies by Galileo, on offer in this year’s Ready To Run Draft:

IGUGU, out of Zarinia, is from the international family of ZARKAVA, Champion 2yo Filly in Europe 2007, Champion 3yo Filly in Europe 2008 and Horse of the Year in 2008. (7 wins, in France, including Prix Marcel Boussac-Barriere Deauville, Gr.1 and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Gr.1). She is an attractive filly with a lovely action and is maturing into an exciting individual.

UTHAWINI, out of Tramore, is from the Australian Group 1 winning family of TRISCAY (15 wins, including Australian Guineas Gr.1, AJC Oaks, Gr.1, AJC Flight Stakes, Gr.1, Champagne Stakes Gr.1, Queensland Oaks, Gr.1 and Silver Slipper Stakes Gr.2), LA BARAKA (6 wins, including Galaxy Handicap Gr.1) and DEMERGER (8 wins, including Adelaide Cup Gr.1). She is an athletic, long striding filly that has loads of class.

For more information on the Ready To Run Draft, please visit
www.summerhill.co.za