The influence of Darley stallion Iffraaj on New Zealand racing was emphasised yet again when the three-year-old filly Astor led throughout to defeat a strong field in the Listed Mufhasa Stakes at Ellerslie on 3 March.
Taken straight to the front at barrier rise, Astor resisted the brief challenge of the runner-up Caesour’s Dream to win by more than two lengths with Ladynadal in third place in a race in which fillies dominated their male rivals.
Astor became Iffraaj’s 58th Stakes winner, joining the stallions best New Zealand performers, Jon Snow, Gingernuts and Turn Me Loose.
Astor was sold at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Haunui Farm for NZ$95,000 and is the fourth of four foals, and one of two winners from her dam Hukba, a winning daughter of Shamardal.
Iffraaj, who stood the latest southern hemisphere season under the Darley Banner at Haunui Stud, NZ, is in third place on the NZ General Sires table with 39 winners for the season to date.
