Duxeva (Hussonet) the highest priced lot at the 2017 Hong Kong International Sale, has strong ties to the South African breeding industry, via his dam Almah by Al Mufti, who is without a shadow of any doubt one of the finest stallions to have stood in South Africa during the modern era.

Al Mufti was a regally bred horse, he was sired by 1972 Epsom Derby winner Roberto, his dam  Lassie Dear, is one of the most influential broodmares of all time. He is also a half brother to Weekend Surprise, the dam of 1992 Breeders' Cup Classic winner A. P. Indy, the leading sire in North America during 2003 and 2006. Al Mufti could be considered one of a kind, he got them to race, and perhaps most importantly he had outstanding success as both a sire of sires and broodmare sire. His Grade 1 winning son Captain Al, has followed in his hoofprints by becoming a champion sire, Al Mufti's daughters have produced international winners such as Jay Peg, Bold Silvano and King's Gambit.

Almah the dam of this sales topper, is a half sister to Grade 2 winner Zambucca (Lundy's Liability) and she in turn has produced Grade 3 Victress Sensible Lover (Good Journey). Duxeva was purchased for 10 500 000 HKD by Lau Pak Fai Peter and it will be interesting to see how his career maps out from here.

It is the hard work of South African horse people, from breeders to journalists, that has helped our industry stay relevant in these extremely pressing times.