Iffraaj’s star son Ribchester tasted G1 glory for the first time on Sunday 14 August when running out the impressive victor of the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Always handily placed under William Buick, he tracked early pacesetter Arod (Teofilo) until a couple of furlongs from home, and when asked to quicken, did so in tremendous style to hold off Vadamos with top-class G1-winning filly Ervedya back in third.
A top juvenile who broke his maiden in the G2 Mill Reef Stakes, Ribchester had come into today’s race on the back of a victory at Royal Ascot in the Jersey Stakes and a unlucky in-running close third in the G1 Sussex Stakes.
Bred by A Thompson & M O’Brien, Ribchester is the first foal out of Marju mare Mujarah, a half-sister to three Stakes performers including Group winner Tactic and the Stakes-placed Zahoo, who is herself the dam of Group winner Convergence (Cape Cross). Mujarah gave birth to a Raven’s Pass filly in March and has been tested in foal to Dubawi this season.
As well as Ribchester, Iffraaj this season has also sired Classic filly Nathra and Australian G1 scorer Turn Me Loose, as well as his first sire son, Wootton Bassett, having the winner of the French Derby. Iffraaj’s best conceived crop are yearlings and are at the sales now with seven due to be sold at Arqana over the next three days.
