South African Horse of the Year Igugu has arrived in Dubai with the rest of Mike De Kock’s team for the 2013 Gulf season.

The Australian bred mare was last seen winning the Group 1 J & B Met in Cape Town on January 18.  “Because of all the quarantine protocols, she will have been off the track for a year,” De Kock said.  “So, it’s a case of getting her going again.  I’ll be looking at the fillies races and will start off in the Cape Verdi Stakes or the Balanchine Stakes.”

Igugu (5m Galileo – Zarinia by Intikhab) was sold by Kia Ora Stud for $65,000 at the 2009 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale.  In addition to the J&B Met, she has also won the Durban July, Woolavington 2000 and SA Fillies Classic at the elite level.

“She gets anything from 1200m to 2400m and her optimum distance is probably around 2000m,” De Kock said.  “A lot will depend on how she goes on the all-weather.”

Due to protocols designed to control African Horse Sickness, Igugu entered the Kenilworth Quarantine Station in May followed by stints in Mauritius and England.

IGUGU
Group 1 J&B Met winner at her last start in January