In a shuttle career that began in 2008, Iffraaj has made the trip across hemispheres for nine consecutive years and with six crops of racing age, he has left a Group One performer in each with just his current crop of two-year-olds yet to continue that trend.
Gingernuts' performance in the Derby, backed up by the third placing of Jon
Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj) is the undoubted highlight in a stellar crop of Iffraaj colts
and geldings that have been at the top of their class to date.Iffraaj's class of 2013 also features the Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng, Group One Diamond Stakes runner-up Wyndspelle who at three has gone on to add the Waikato Guineas to his credentials. The Soultaker was a stakes winner at two who trained on to claim the Bonecrusher Stakes at three before being sold to Hong Kong whilst Jon Snow has been one of the most consistent three-year-olds of the season placed in both the Hawkes Bay and Avondale Guineas and the Levin Classic before his impressive Derby performance this past weekend.
"It was certainly a result to celebrate on Saturday and a real testament to Iffraaj's versatility as a stallion," said Haunui Farm's Managing Director, Mark Chitty. "He was a Group Two winning sprinter who is a Group One producing stallion in both hemispheres," he said. "He's leaving two-year-olds of the highest order to Guineas and Derby winners and Turn Me Loose has done a fantastic job paving the way in Australia with his impressive Group One wins in the Spring and the Autumn of his four-year-old season."
Early in his stallion career, Iffraaj's stakes performers were dominated by the fairer sex with Fix taking out New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year honours in his first Southern Hemisphere crop. She was followed by the likes of Serena Miss, Belle Miraaj and Sardaaj – all Group One performed fillies and in the Northern Hemisphere it was the likes of Chriselliam and Rizeena who were his leading ladies. Fast forward a few seasons and the tables have turned, for the time being at least.
"Standing stallions certainly isn't for the faint hearted and it's definitely a game best played long," said Mark. "Iffraaj has had his detractors but, statistics don't lie and he is up there with the best and Saturday's result just underpins what a successful sire he has become," said Mark.
Iffraaj will return to Haunui Farm in 2017 and will once again serve a limited book of 100 mares. For more information or to book your mare, please feel free to call Mark – 021 663 995 – or Shannon – 0212 855 513
