Ribchester breaks his maiden in style

Son of Iffraaj takes the G2 Mill Reef Stakes

Ribchester, one of 26 Stakes horses sired by Iffraaj in 2015, broke his maiden in style when impressively landing the G2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

The two-year-old colt came into the race on the back of a superb second in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes, and starting favourite, he wasn’t extended to record a one-and-a-quarter length triumph over the consistent Log Out Island.

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 this season’s Group winner Convergence (Cape Cross). This is the fifth winner from only five runners for the Iffraaj/Marju-mare cross that also includes another highly-rated 2015 juvenile in Bahaarah.

Iffraaj’s juveniles have been impressing recently with nine of his winners landing their last starts. These include the unbeaten Nathra, winner of both her starts including a seven-length triumph at Newbury yesterday, and fellow wide-margin scorers Doubly Motivated and Taqwaa.