We’re sad – and very excited at the same time – to announce that SA Sprinter of the Year, Val de Ra is leaving SA tomorrow for Mauritius and 3 months of quarantine there, with the Mike de Kock team, who will be looking after her.
However the the fantastic news relating to her future is planned for after her arrival at Newmarket in the UK, when she is booked in for a cover by UK champion sprinter, Oasis Dream, who is also one of the leading speed sires in that country!
According to Avontuur GM, Pippa Mickleburgh the medium-term plan is to keep her in the UK for around 3 years and have her covered to southern hemisphere time frame, bring her progeny back to SA if and when the export protocol improves, but if not, they will go off to Australia as a second option.
“Long-term we plan to get her to the best stallions in the world and we have already spoken to some leading sires in the UK and Ireland for the 2013/2014 season, andhave met with surprisingly positive responses,” she says.
We wish her well, and if all goes to plan, our “girl” will just go from strength to strength!
