Breeders in New Zealand will continue to have access to the Iffraaj sire line as four-time Group 1 winner Ribchester will take over shuttling duties from his sire at Haunui Farm.
Iffraaj shuttled to Haunui Farm for 12 seasons and the operation’s Managing Director Mark Chitty said: “Who better to replace Iffraaj on the Haunui stallion roster than his best son. We’re very excited to have Ribchester coming to Haunui in 2020, especially given we were very keen to secure him for New Zealand stud duties when he was initially retired.
“After lengthy discussions with the team from Darley, we have made the decision to retire Iffraaj from southern hemisphere serving duties after 12 years. At 19 years of age, the decision was made solely in Iffraaj’s best interests.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and his entire team at Darley for entrusting us with Iffraaj for so many seasons. He has certainly made his mark in the southern hemisphere and his results here have helped lift him to the elite echelon of stallions and, his legacy is certainly set to continue in Australasia.
“Iffraaj will be sadly missed by all of us here at Haunui and wish the Darley team every success with him as he continues his career in the northern hemisphere.”
Ribchester, whose oldest crops are yearlings of 2020, previously shuttled to Darley’s Kelvinside base in New South Wales in 2018 and 2019.
He has been introduced to New Zealand breeders at a fee of NZ$15,000 and will stand alongside fellow Darley stallion, the Group 1-winning Belardo who commands a fee of NZ$10,000.
Darley Australia’s Managing Director Vin Cox added: “Haunui have managed the southern hemisphere stud career of Iffraaj in exemplary fashion so it is fitting that Ribchester can fill the gap he will leave.
“We are extremely confident of the prospects for the stallion – he has covered good quality mares in each of his two seasons at stud to date.”
