News

Mac De Lago Bound for Durban July

13th Jun 2016

"Heads up, heads down, there's nothing in it" roared the caller at Greyville yesterday as Mac De Lago and Trip to Heaven literally fought out the finish of the Group 1 WFA Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m. The eventual winner was Australian bred Mac de Lago after a trainer protest was upheld.

It was the biggest win of Mac de Lago (Encosta de Lago x Macavelli Miss) career, with his last 11 starts being in group company and this his first black type win. He was bought at the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling sale by James Bester as agent for Hassen Adams.

The four-year-old gelding is raced by Hassen Adams with a number of partners including C F Delport, Dayalan Chinsammy, Lawrence Pillay, T J Smith & O D T Visser.

After the win, trainer Weiho Marwing said "I thought the outcome was clear cut, this was a great prep for the July and I think Mac De Lago will spark from here."

Offered at Inglis Premier as Lot 214, he was part of the inaugural Blue Riband session, which is a section of the catalogue for horses whose pedigree and conformation suggests they are likely to excel at 1600m and further. Inglis congratulates all connections as he heads to the Durban July, South Africa's biggest race over 2200m on the first Saturday in July.

Bred by Gareth Downey in New Zealand and sold by Coolmore Stud, Mac De Lago is the 26th Group 1 winner for the now retired Encosta de Lago.

The Inglis Premier Yearling sale has been a happy hunting ground for our many loyal South African clients over a long period and Mac de Lago joins an impressive honour roll including Triple Group 1 winning sprinter Alboran Sea, Fursa, Arcetri Pink, The Conglomerate, Killua Castle and South Africa's darling Igugu.