Sparkling Jewel: Igugu(AUS) Ready To Take On The World

21 February, 2013
– Lisa Barrett

Igugu, the Australian bred super mare who set the South African racing scene alight is now aiming for international fame and glory as she sets her sights on the 2013 Dubai Racing Carnival. Bred by Kia Ora Stud New South Wales, Australia, Igugu was a pin hook from the 2009 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for Mick Gosses Summerhill Stud, the eight time champion breeders of South Africa.

Sold at the 2009 version of the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Sale, Igugu went onto to achieve what few others did, becoming the only filly in South African racing history to win South Africa’s Triple Tiara, following that up with wins in two of Africa’s greatest races, the Vodacom Durban July (Gr.1) (2200m) and the J&B Met (Gr.1) (2000m), becoming only the 5th horse in 75 years to achieve this feat.

For many though, her greatest victory (and the most hard fought) was her 2012 J&B Met victory. Under the weather after a prolonged spell in quarantine, it looked all but over for the star mare as she had two lengths to try and make up on Bravura in the final straight. Somehow, she dug deep, and surged up to snatch a win by the narrowest of margins (0.4 lengths).

The usually stoic De Kock fought to contain his emotions, and viewers were treated to slight wobble of his lips as he described his sheer joy at her win in one of South Africa’s most glamorous races, the R2.5 million J&B Met.

Dubai has always been a happy hunting ground for Mike de Kock who has won several of the major races during the Carnival seasons over the years: Sun Classique struck 2008 with victories in the Cape Verdi, Balanchine, and the US$5m Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup day, Raihana claimed the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial and UAE 1,000 Guineas in 2010, Reem and Mahbooba combined to take out the same races in 2011.

Igugu is scheduled to run in the Balanchine tomorrow night, and her champion trainer is quietly confident, but typically conservative in his thoughts on tomorrow night’s big race ‘”Igugu’s had a good, steady preparation. She’s never been a great work horse, but she’s happy and sound and we’ve had no issues with her. The race will show if she still has her competitive spirit. We’ve done what we can to get her fit and now it’s up to her. We’re hoping she’ll produce what we know she is capable of.”

If Igugu comes out of tomorrow night’s debut in good shape and sound, she will line up in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (Gr.1). Mike has been full of praise for Igugu’s brilliant performances in South Africa, and hopes she can repeat these in Dubai “she is a gutsy filly and a courageous filly, and I hope she returns to the form she is capable of as she is world class and can win on the world stage.”

No matter what is thrown at her, Igugu’s sheer class and brilliance will undoubtedly shine through, and she will be the “sparkling jewel” of the desert.