Setting the pace for the entirety of the race, Ribchester dealt to his opposition with relative ease running out almost four lengths clear of his nearest rival and after the race, trainer Richard Fahey stated him to be the best horse he's ever trained.
Ribchester joins New Zealand Derby and Rosehill Guineas-winner Gingernuts (NZ)
(Iffraaj) and, Australian Derby-winner Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj) as Group One
winners for Iffraaj so far this year with his Lockinge win added to the Group
One Deauville Prix Jacques Le Marois victory in August last year with his
three-year-old performances placing him at the top of his generation in Europe.Iffraaj returns to Haunui Farm in 2017 at a fee of $25,000 + GST and will serve a full book. Joining him on the Haunui roster is fellow Darley stallion, Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega), a dual Group One winner who also has the Lockinge Stakes on his resume.
Haunui Farm's Mark Chitty says, "Iffraaj has had a fantastic last three months and his stature as a truly International Group One sire just continues to rise. Ribchester was an outstanding three-year-old and has come back this season and stamped himself as a superior horse. And to have Belardo joining our roster this season adds another dimension to our stallion line-up. A dual Group One winner and Group One performer at two, three and four, he is a highly credentialed young stallion that at $12,000, we believe provides great value for breeders."
