It’s official: Iffraaj is the best

Darley stallion records his 36th individual winner to become Europe’s most successful first-season sire ever

Iffraaj officially became Europe’s most successful first-season sire ever on 21 November, beating the previous record set by Invincible Spirit when his son Dixlesio became his 36th winner.

The Darley freshman has enjoyed a truly outstanding season and tops the first-season sires’ table not only by number of winners but also by prize money – in Britain and Ireland he is some £300,000 clear of his nearest rival.

Heading his runners this year is the unbeaten G1 winner Wootton Bassett, who romped to an all-the-way victory in the Grand Criterium on Arc day at Longchamp. He has won on no fewer than five occasions and is currently 14-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.

Iffraaj is also sire of G3-winning filly Espirita and Group performers Musharakaat and Stay Alive. He stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €15,000 October 1st terms.

Also on Sunday, Cape Cross's multiple G1 winner Able One led from pillar to post to land the Listed Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin – an important trial for next month’s G1 Hong Kong Mile, for which he is now likely to start favourite.

Cape Cross, who also stands at Kildangan Stud, has also enjoyed a successful year, siring four G1 horses and 11 Group winners led by Bekhabad. His fee for 2011 remains at €35,000.