Iffraaj and Shalaa on the board with new Group 1 winners in New Zealand and Australia

Former Haunui Farm shuttler Iffraaj bagged his 13th individual Group 1 winner when Grail Seeker sprang a surprise to win the Tarzino Trophy at Hastings in New Zealand on Saturday. 

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained mare was bought by Kakapo Lodge from the Jamieson Park draft for NZ$130,000 (£61,000/€72,000) out of Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale in 2022. Out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Starwish, the four-year-old is a half-sister to Listed winner Deep Image. 

Grail Seeker adds his latest stakes triumph to her previous win in last season’s Wellington Guineas. The Dalham Hall Stud-based Iffraaj stood his first season at Haunui in 2008 and returned for 12 consecutive seasons. Iffraaj’s son Ribchester stands at the New Zealand nursery for a fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST).

Shalaa: sired his second top-flight winner on SaturdayCredit: Al Shaqab

Also on Saturday, Woodside Park Stud resident and former Haras de Bouquetot sire Shalaa scored his second individual elite-level winner when the Gavin Bedggood-trained Mornington Glory took out the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley in Australia.

Bred by Gooree Park Stud, the gelding was bought by Matt Laurie, Bahen Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for A$360,000 (£183,000/€217,000) at the Magic Millions Gooree Stud Reduction in 2020. 

Mornington Glory is out of Group 3 scorer and Golden Slipper runner-up Crowned Glory, making the gelding a half-sister to Golden Rose winner turned Twins Hills stallion Hallowed Crown and Group 3 winner Needs Further, who stands at Armidale Stud. 

Shalaa has now sired nine individual stakes winners in Australia, including Recommendation, winner of last Saturday’s Vale Black Caviar. Also the sire of Matron Stakes winner No Speak Alexander, the stallion is standing for a fee of A$19,800 (inc GST).

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