Ipi Tombe – 2002 Vodacom Durban July
The Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge to be run at Turffontein on Saturday has attracted a quality field, fitting after the name of the great racehorse which carries its name. Trained by Mike De Kock after her arrival in South Africa, the Zimbabwean bred overcame an ordinary pedigree to become a champion both locally and internationally.
She was sired by Manshood out of the Dance In Time (CAN) mare, Carnet de Danse (GB).
During her career, Ipi Tombe had 14 starts, and won 12 of them.
She was unbeaten in her overseas campaign, winning feature races in both USA and Dubai – where her wins included a facile triumph in the Dubai Duty Free (where she thrashed subsequent Duty Free dead heater, Paolini).
Ipi Tombe won South Africa’s most famous race, the Vodacom Durban July in 2002 as a 3yo when piloted to a dramatic late burst victory in the hands of Kevin Shea. She won four of her five starts in South Africa.
Unfortunately, she is yet to replicate her own success on the track at stud, despite being sent to some of the world’s top sires.
