Fix crowned New Zealand Filly of the Year

Fix, who hails from Iffraaj's first southern hemisphere crop, has been crowned New Zealand Filly of the Year, after her nearest pursuer Soriano failed in her New Zealand Oaks bid over the weekend. Fix had built up a sizable lead in the contest thanks to victories in three G2 contests; the Eight Carat Classic and Royal Stakes at Ellieslie and the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa. Connections had taken the risk not to run her in the Oaks after her excellent second against the boys in the G1 New Zealand Derby at the start of the month.

Purchased by her current owner Gary Harding from Haunui Farm for $220,000 as a yearling, he indicated that she will likely to come back for the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown next season before taking on the best in Australia.

Iffraaj retired to stud in 2007, where he sired a record breaking 38 first-crop winners including the unbeaten Champion juvenile Wootton Bassett. On the back of this, his fifth book of mares was exceptional and included foals out of 101 Stakes winners or producers. Already this season he has sired Hong Kong G1 performer Happy Era and G3 Winter Derby place-getter Cai Shen, who finished third behind Iffraaj's half-brother Farraaj on Saturday.