Iffraaj Listed trifecta in New Zealand
Iffraaj sired the first three finishers in the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes at Riccarton Park when his three-year-old son Riding Shotgun beat a pair of paternal half-sisters in La Veuve and Belle Miraaj. Run over 1400m, Riding Shotgun was last turning for home but putting in a strong late finish he burst clear to record a comfortable success. With earnings now in excess of $230,000, he is likely now to return to the track in the G1 New Zealand 2,000 Guineas.
Bred by Trelawney Thoroughbred Ltd, Riding Shotgun is the best runner yet out of his winning Snippets dam Exquisitely, whose five foals to race have all won.
Iffraaj has now sired 22 Stakes horses in 2014 including G1-winners Rizeena and Benvenue with four further Group winners including top-sprinter Hot Streak.