Ilha Da Vitoria, the Brazilian bred, diminutive, record breaking, grey has recently embarked upon a new career; that of broodmare at Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift. reports BERNARD IKER. 

Ilha has a special place in Mary’s heart, so special in fact, that at the recent Wilgerbosdrift stallion day, she too paraded for the thronging crowd. 

Mary with the wonderful grey, Ilha Da Vitoria. (JC Photos)

Ilha was covered earlier this month by new resident stallion, Tiger Ridge, and yesterday (13 September), she tested in foal.  With Tiger Ridge’s pedigree (not that there’s anything wrong with Ilha’s) and the dam’s ability, the foal has the hallmark of a champion on paper, with his/her arrival eagerly awaited. 

Eyeofthetiger, another Champion of Brazilian extraction captured the lucrative Vodacom Durban July this year, could 2007 herald the arrival of a successor in the shape of a colt or filly by Tiger Ridge out of Ilha Da Vitoria?  Could we audaciously suggest “Isleofthetiger”?