Iffraaj (GB)

Cheveley Park Stud's hitherto unraced Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) went off as a 15-2 chance for the first division of Friday's 888sport British EBF Novice S. at Newmarket, a contest won in 2019 by last term's G2 Derby Italiano hero Tuscan Gaze (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and came home by daylight to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status with an impressive debut display. He recovered from a slightly awkward getaway to stalk the pace out wide through halfway. Powering to the front on the bridle approaching the quarter-mile marker, Audience was shaken...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a son of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}). 14.05 Newmarket, Nov, £9,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT Sunderland Holding's MY PROSPERO (IRE) (Iffraaj {GB}) is a half-sister to this term's G1 Prix d'Ispahan third and William Haggas stablemate My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a daughter of Group 1 winner Cursory Glance (Distorted Humor). 11.50 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, 2yo, c/g, 8fT Coolmore and Westerberg's JASPEROID (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is a Denford Stud-bred son of G2 Cherry Hinton S. and G3 Albany S. victrix and G1 Cheveley Park S. second Illuminate...

The Arqana August Yearling Sale features a catalogue of 355 blue-blooded colts and fillies as it returns to its regular slot in the calendar from Aug. 14-16 in Deauville. The first two days will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the final day, Monday, will start at 1 p.m. The sale has produced many stakes winners over the years including G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), and fellow Group 1 winners Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}),...

When Napa Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) won Friday's first race at Keeneland, bloodstock agent Ben McElroy was more relieved than ecstatic. Some six months earlier, he purchased Napa Spirit at the Goffs Orby Yearling sale in Ireland with a set goal in mind. He was looking for a unique type of horse, one that could win in the U.S. and Europe, would be fast and precocious, like the grass and be a good fit for the Royal Ascot meet. Friday's win was the latest sign that he had more...

Sharpened by a return fourth in the 6 1/2-furlong Listed Prix Montenica on Chantilly's Polytrack Mar. 18, Fast Raaj (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}) made that fitness edge count in Thursday's G3 Prix Djebel at Deauville. Racing for a partnership between Ecurie du Parc Monceau, Haras d'Etreham, Riviera Equine S.A.R.L and trainer Yann Barberot, the bay who had won here over 7 1/2 furlongs again on the Polytrack in October was anchored in a share of last off the strong early tempo alongside one of the other colts who had enjoyed an...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Insights features a half-brother to Group 1 winner Seismos (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}). 2.25 Deauville, Mdn, €22,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Ecki Sauren's SUDDEN DEATH (FR) (Muhaarar {GB}), a €30,000 Arqana October yearling purchase, is the latest of 13 foals out of a half-sister to MG1SW Deutsches...

Five horses have been added to the Arqana Autumn Sale as wild cards. Four horses-jumpers Garkapstar (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}) (lot 439), Get Vingt Sept (Fr) (Rail Link {GB}) (lot 460), and Hawai Game (Fr) (Diamond Boy {Fr}) (lot 461); as well as the Flat SP Argyron (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) (lot 410); will sell on Nov. 16. Rounding out the fivesome is a half-brother to Grade 1-placed Theleme (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}) named Kloth of Utopia (Fr) as lot 910. The weanling colt is by Cloth of Stars (Ire) and will go...

Tally-Ho Stud resident Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}-Lucina {GB}, by Machiavellian) equaled Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic)'s number of first-crop 2-year-old winners on Sunday, with Power Under Me (Ire) bringing up his 38th individual winner. The gelding, bred by Barbel Reiss and a €28,000 Goffs November weanling, won on debut over six furlongs at Naas. Always prominently placed, the Vincent Gaul colourbearer asserted late to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Coulthard (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}). Of Mehmas's 146 2-year-olds, 94 (64%) have started, and his winners to runners percentage stands at 26%. Clustered among...

G1 Matron S. heroine Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) has been supplemented to the G1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket on Oct. 3. Purchased by Teruya Yoshida of Shadai Farm after her win in the Sept. 12 Matron, the filly remains in the care of trainer Johnny Murtagh. The Matron was the fourth win in a row for the bay, who won a handicap at The Curragh in her seasonal bow June 12, added the July 28 Listed Corrib Fillies S. and captured the Sept. 2 G3...

Rare are the horses that go to stud that actually prove their worth as stallions. Rarer still are those that make an impact in more than one racing jurisdiction. Darley's Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic), is one such exemplary individual. With time called on his Southern Hemisphere service as his son Ribchester (Ire) takes the reins at Haunui Farm in New Zealand, it's worth taking a look at the elder's record in Australasia as he makes Darley's Dalham Hall Stud in Britain his permanent base. Bred by Darley, and raced in the...

Champion and four-time Group 1 winner Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}-Mujarah {Ire}, by Marju {Ire}) will shuttle to Haunui Farm for the first time in 2020, the New Zealand nursery announced on Monday. The G1 Prix Jacques le Marois hero replaces his 19-year-old sire at the stud, who shuttled to Haunui for 12 seasons. "Who better to replace Iffraaj on the Haunui stallion roster than his best son," said Haunui Farm Managing Director Mark Chitty. "We're very excited to have Ribchester coming to Haunui in 2020, especially given we were very...