Iffraaj’s Northern Hemisphere Fee Increased

Darley have just announced their European service fees for the 2018 season with Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) joining the top echelon of the Darley stallions with a fee increase from £27,500 to £40,000. His multiple Group One winning son Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj) joins him on Darley’s European roster and will stand his debut season at Kildangan in Ireland for a fee of €30,000 whilst first season sire Belardo (Ire) (Lope De Vega) will serve his second season at an unchanged fee of €15,000.

Iffraaj and Belardo are both making light work of their duties at Haunui Farm this season with Iffraaj working through his full book of 120 mares and come season’s end, Belardo will have served just on 100 mares in his first southern hemisphere season.

“Iffraaj is a proven international Group One sire and completely deserves to be held in such high regard,” said Mark Chitty, Haunui Farm’s Managing Director. “He started his stud career at Kildangan for a fee of €12,000 and through the high class performance of his progeny on the track, has moved his way up the Darley roster,” he said. “Iffraaj stood his first season at Haunui in 2008 at a fee of $12,000 and when you consider his success and his Northern Hemisphere fees, his $25,000 fee here at Haunui this season provides New Zealand breeders outstanding value. He’s among the highest regarded stallions in Europe and his southern hemisphere success has him on every buyer’s radar.”

In a season which has seen more than 12 new stallions introduced to New Zealand, Belardo is a standout among his peers as the only Group One performer at two, three and four. Mark Chitty says, “With our existing relationship with Darley, we have been waiting for the right stallion to follow in Iffraaj’s footsteps. As a Champion 2YO, Belardo ticked the first box of our criteria and that’s speed and precocity and the further we looked, the more boxes he ticked – Group One winner at two, Group One performer at three, trained on as on older horse to win the Group One Lockinge at four over a mile, out of a Champion daughter of Danehill, from one of the best sirelines in the world. And the last few months have seen Lope De Vega (Ire) (Shamardal) stamp his mark on the Australian racing scene with Vega Magic and Santa Ana Lane, so that’s another box that has received the tick – success in our major export market.

“Breeders have been impressed with Belardo and we’ve seen that in the support we have had for him in his first season. To get 100 mares in a year when so many new stallions are available is testament to the horse and here’s hoping he can follow in Iffraaj’s footsteps in the years ahead!”