Purple patch continues for Darley’s first-season sires

Two new winners for Europe’s leading first-season sire Iffraaj; Byron records his fifth winner

Darley’s young sires are enjoying a successful season, with Iffraaj (pictured) currently atop the European first-season sires’ table and Librettist responsible for recent G2 July Stakes winner Libranno, and their progeny’s winning ways continued on 14 July with both Iffraaj and Byron adding to their totals.

Iffraaj sired two new winners when the Ralph Beckett-trained filly Rafella took the six-furlong maiden at Lingfield, keeping on well in the closing stages to win by three quarters of a length.

Bred by Mrs Ellen Lyons, Rafella becomes the fourth winner out of Cappella, herself a dual winner at two.

Later the same day, Musharakaat ran out the convincing winner of the seven-furlong maiden at Kempton, quickening smartly to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Bred by Mrs Mary Gallagher, she is out of the Gilded Time mare Gift Of Spring, a half-sister to Witch Of Fife – dam of three Stakes winners including Gimcrack Stakes second Ho Choi and Solario Stakes winner Drumfire.

Further afield, Zacynthus became Iffraaj’s second Stakes performer when finishing third in the Listed Prix Roland De Chambure at Longchamp.

Also on Wednesday, fellow first-season sire Byron recorded his fifth individual winner when Byrony won over seven furlongs, also at Kempton. Bred by Mr and Mrs C Booth, Byrony is out of the multiple Stakes-placed mare Saphire, already dam of a Stakes performer in Waffle (Kheleyf).