Two-year-old Xiong Feng has maintained his unbeaten record with an impressive all-the-way victory in the rich Karaka Million (1200m) juvenile feature at Ellerslie on January 24, becoming his sire Iffraaj’s 34th individual Stakes winner.
Xiong Feng, ridden by Danielle Johnson, jumped well from the inside barrier to take up the lead and never looked threatened by his more fancied rivals in the NZ $1 million Listed event for trainers Stephen McKee and Eddie Chippendale. The gelding has now won all three starts and appears destined for more Stakes victories.
Bred by Monovale Holdings, Xiong Feng is out of unraced Tale Of The Cat mare Stray, a daughter of Shynzi, the dam of champion middle distance galloper Maldivian who was a three-time G1 winner including the WS Cox Plate (2040m), Australasia’s premier weight-for-age race. Xiong Feng is also a half-brother to G2 winner Adrift, who won the Light Fingers Stakes in Sydney, Australia, last season.
Iffraaj has produced G1 winners Rizeena, Chriselliam, Benvenue and Wootton Bassett. In 2015, Iffraaj also sired G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Ribchester, fellow G2 winner Serena Miss, plus G1 performers Nathra, Magic Artist, Latharnach and Sardaaj.
Iffraaj is standing at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £22,500 October 1st, Special live foal.
