Percy Miller, the king of Australian breeders for nearly forty years from the First World War from his base at the Kia Ora stud, Segenhoe Valley, Scone no doubt would have been very pleased at the latest big timer to come off the stud, one now owned by Malaysian tycoon Ananda Krishnan.

Produced from one of Kia Ora’s own mares, she is the 4-year-old mare Igugu and she has been crowned South African Horse of the Year for 2010-11, and also Champion 3YO Filly and Middle Distance Performer.

Igugu is by the former Coolmore, Hunter Valley visitor now the new European super sire Galileo (by Sadler’s Wells) and from Zarina, an unraced Ireland bred daughter of the American produced Red Ransom sire Intikhab. The mare represents one of the Aga Khan’s best families.

Another Australian product, the Encosta de Lago colt Delago Deluxe, was anointed South African Champion 2YO. Bred by Gerry Harvey, he is by the Coolmore, Hunter Valley sire Encosta de Lago and from Succeeding, a Flying Spur three-quarter sister to Excites (by Danewin; at Vinery) and Tickets (Redoute’s Choice; at Widden) and half-sister to Duporth (Red Ransom; at Kitchwin Hills).They are all from the very good Success Express race mare Staging.

The South African Awards continued a stunning year overseas for the Australian horse. Earlier Rocket Man, a son of the former Woodlands stud sire Viscount (by Quest for Fame) and a Mcginty mare, was accoladed Singapore Horse of the Year and champion sprinter and veteran Hong Kong performer Sacred Kingdom, another son of Encosta de Lago, named Hong Kong’s best sprinter for the fourth time.

Rocket Man was bred by Dean Fleming on the family’s Tyreel stud, Hawkesbury Valley and Sacred Kingdom by the Calverts, prominent Victorian breeders.

On top of the South African, Singapore and Hong Kong honours, the Australian breed had a big year as sires in New Zealand, taking out their three top titles. Hunter Valley raised Thorn Park (the champion) and Pins (by Snippets), both at stud in New Zealand, finished first and second on the General List on earnings, the Arrowfield based Charge Forward (by Red Ransom) headed the juvenile list and the Century sire Centaine the broodmares. Centaine was also bred by the Tyreel stud Flemings.

Australian bred and based sires have been leading New Zealand juvenile sires in four of the past five years, Charge Forward being preceded by Show a Heart (Glenlogan Park), General Nediym and Lucky Owners (both Widden).

Pins, the runner up on the New Zealand General Sires List gave Australia another overseas distinction by heading the Hong Kong sires list. He is from the Lionel Israel Segenhoe stud bred No Finer, a daughter of Kaoru Star and Broodmare of the Year Humour.

The recent overseas successes at the races and stud follows on Australian bred Starspangledbanner, a son of yet another Coolmore sire, Choisir, being ranked champion European sprinter for 2010. He stood the 2011 northern hemisphere season at Coolmore in Ireland and is now poised to look after an Australian book at their Hunter Valley stud.

Also flying the flag for Australia in Europe is Exceed and Excel. one of the leading sires of juveniles.This son of Danehill is headquartered at Darley, Hunter Valley but spends the northern hemisphere seasons at their Dalham Hall stud in England, receiving books of over one hundred each year.