Western Empire Lands Another Derby for Iffraaj

Exciting 3YO WESTERN EMPIRE (NZ) (Iffraaj) became Derby winner number three for IFFRAAJ (GB) (Zafonic) when he landed the G2 Western Australian Derby on Saturday, overcoming a wide barrier and over racing early in the 2400m contest.

Bred by Bob and Sandra Peters' Peters Investments, WESTERN EMPIRE was born and raised at Haunui Farm and is one of 8 stakes winners off the farm in the current season.  Saturday's victory was his third at stakes level this season along with two further stakes performances.  He joins GINGERNUTS and JON SNOW as winners of the New Zealand and ATC Derbies respectively for IFFRAAJ.

With unbeaten three-year-olds AYRTON and KARAKA LAD heading to the Queensland Carnival, as well as PRINCESS RHAENYS headed toward the ATC Oaks this weekend, there is evry opportunity IFFRAAJ could add to his Australian 3YO spoils before season's end.

Having been retired from shuttle duties last season, IFFRAAJ still has two crops to hit Southern Hemisphere racetracks with his final crop currently weanlings.  His best son, four-time G1 winner and two-time Champion European miler, RIBCHESTER, took his place on the Haunui stallion roster and the word on his first crop in the Northern Hemisphere is very encouraging.

Haunui Farm's Managing Director, Mark Chitty, says, "It was great to see WESTERN EMPIRE take out the Derby on Saturday for Bob and Sandra.  Bob has been a big supporter of Haunui and our stallions.  Everyone knows how much he puts into racing and breeding and we're very thankful to have them as long-term clients of Haunui.

"IFFRAAJ is certainly sorely missed here at the farm but we are very excited to have RIBCHESTER on our roster and the word out of the North on his progeny, from numerous sources, is certainly very encouraging.  He will be returning to Haunui in the coming season and we will be announcing his service fee, along with BELARDO's fee, in the next ten days."