Igugu, Delago Deluxe Star in South Africa

Australian bred filly Igugu(4m Galileo x Zarinia, by Intikhab) was crowned South Africa Horse of the Year at the Equus Awards in Johannesburg. Trained by Mike de Kock for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and Mr and Mrs A J Macdonald, Igugu did not race as a two-year-old, but quickly made up for lost time, notching eight wins and two placings from 10 starts in her classic season, highlighted by three Group I victories. Igugu was bred by Kia Ora Stud and fetched $65,000 when offered at the 2009 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where she was bought by Livestock Traders. She was then sold for 1million Rand from the Summerhill draft at the 2009 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale in South Africa. By champion sire Galileo, Igugu is the second foal of Zarinia (IRE), an Intikhab mare from the family of champion mare and Arc winner Zarkava. Taking the award for Champion 2YO Colt was unbeaten youngster Delago Deluxe (3c Encosta de Lago x Succeeding, by Flying Spur), who won all four of his starts this season highlighted by a Group I victory in the Golden Medallion. Bred and offered for sale by Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud, Delago Deluxe was purchased by Charles Laird for $550,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions Sale where he was the fourth highest priced colt at the sale. Raced by Mr and Mrs Markus Jooste, Delago Deluxe is the second foal of Flying Spur mare Succeeding, a half-sister to Group I stars Duporth and Excites, plus Group II winner Tickets.