His case has been helped by impressive Group One victories by Gingernuts in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby and Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas and Jon Snow in the Gr.1 Australian Derby. Additionally, his northern hemisphere-bred son Ribchester won the Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes last month, while the stallion is also represented as the broodmare sire of Group One winner Melody Belle.
Ribchester could add to his Group One tally when he lines up on the opening day
of Royal Ascot as favourite for the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes.Haunui Farm Managing Director Mark Chitty said the performances of his progeny exemplifies Iffraaj as an international stallion.
"It's been really satisfying. It's seen his book close going into the 2017 breeding season with a service fee rise.
"It has been good for the stud, but it has also been good for New Zealand to have another truly proven international stallion."
Iffraaj will stand at an increased service fee of $25,000 + GST, an increase of $7,500 + GST from last season.
"I think we have priced him very affordably for people," Chitty said.
"We were mindful about keeping people in the game and that has been able to happen, which I'm delighted about.
"Not many stallions have left a Group One performer in every crop they have had and he has so far in New Zealand. That shows the true worth of the horse."
While Chitty eyes Ribchester's progress in the lead-up to Royal Ascot, he is getting ready to stand another winner of the Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes at his Karaka property.
Multiple Group One winner Belardo will stand his first season at Haunui for a
service fee of $12,000 + GST."He's a very high class racehorse. He performed at Group One level in every season he raced," Chitty said.
"He was a Group One-winning autumn two-year-old, who trained on as a four-year-old to win a Group One mile.
"His effort behind Teppin (in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes) last year was voted the best male performance at Royal Ascot.
"We look forward to him arriving at the end of July."
Although excited about his new stallion's prospects, Chitty is wary about the influx of new stallions onto the New Zealand scene this coming season.
"I think it's exciting when new blood is introduced," he said.
"My concern would be whether they all get the support they deserve in terms of broodmare numbers. Time is going to be the judgement of that." – NZ Racing Desk
