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| Staff Writer |
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Team Valor's founder and chief executive Barry Irwin has set his sights on Meydan glory with newly acquired Quid Pro Quo, drawing parallels with their former star Ipi Tombe, who captured the 2003 Gr.1 Dubai Duty Free (now Dubai Turf) when trained by Mike de Kock.
"One cannot but hope that she could be the next Ipi Tombe, and we plan to give her every opportunity to achieve the lofty international accomplishments of that former South African runner," said Irwin.
The dual Group One winner and champion 2YO filly of last season has been purchased from owner-breeder Gerald Kalil, with plans for a three-race campaign at Meydan in the winter of 2026 following European preparation.
Currently trained by Barend Botes, the 3YO filly has been hailed as "likely the best filly I've ever ridden" by South Africa's premier jockey Piere Strydom following her impressive victory in the Gr.2 Dingaans at Turffontein.
Previous winners of the Dingaans include Rain In Holland, who went on to capture multiple Group One races including the SA Fillies Classic, and War Of Athena, who secured the Triple Tiara series in 2021.
"South African racing has always been special to me, and I've made significant investments there. Quid Pro Quo will carry the torch for Team Valor over the coming years and even possibly in South Africa if she isn't exported in time early next year," Irwin added.
The acquisition marks another milestone for the nation's resurgent bloodstock industry, which recently staged its most valuable race day at the Summer Cup meeting at Turffontein. This revival follows the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the Markus Jooste scandal, with the lifting of EU quarantine restrictions in March marking a turning point after 13 years of limitations.