"The chance to sell mare of this quality and the opportunity to apply our marketing and agency skill in a different international arena represents an exciting development for us," said Craig Bandoroff of Kentucky-based Denali in a prepared statement. "Ipi Tombe was an ultra-classy, tough, and sound mare who represents a wonderful opportunity for a breeder to add a superior and talented racemare to its breeding program."
South African champion Ipi Tombe will be offered by Craig and Holly Bandoroff's Denali Stud, as agent, at this year's Tattersalls December sales in England. The 6-year-old daughter of Manshood, who also was a champion in the United Arab Emirates and a grade III winner in North America, is in foal to Sadler's Wells on a March 20 cover.Ipi Tombe is owned by Team Valor, Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm, and an African group known as Sunmark Partners. An earner of $1,529,799, she captured eight stakes in three countries. Races won by Ipi Tombe included the Durban July Handicap (SAf-I) and the South African Fillies Guineas (SAf-I) in 2002 and the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) the following year. She took the 2003 Locust Grove Handicap (gr. IIIT) in her only North American outing.Ipi Tombe was retired from racing in November of 2003 after a training setback that would have prevented a return trip to Dubai to defend her Duty Free title. She is boarded at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.