Written by Paul Vettise
Haunui Farm’s blend of the proven and the promising is finding favour with the breeding fraternity.
Group 1 producer Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic {USA}) continues to make his mark at all levels while Belardo (IRE) (Lope De Vega {IRE}) has been warmly welcomed.
“Iffraaj’s record speaks for itself and he’s not too far away from a full book again,” studmaster Mark Chitty said. “He’s limited 130 mares so he’s being well-received as usual.
“We’ve been delighted with the response to Belardo. He had a good first year with us and got 95 mares and the second year is always a challenge, but Lope De Vega’s success on the world stage, particularly in Australia, has been good for him.
“He’s leaving quality foals with a lot of natural strength and a bit of Danehill about them.”
“We’ve been delighted with the response to Belardo.” – Mark Chitty.
“If he serves a number close to what he did last year I will be absolutely delighted. He’s got a lot of good breeders behind him like Trelawney Stud, Valachi Downs, Ardsley, the team at Chequers and at Wentwood Grange.”
Out of Danaskaya (IRE) (Danehill {USA}), Belardo won the G1 Dewhurst S at two, the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., in his classic season and trained on to take the G1 Lockinge S., as a 4-year-old. He retired to his Northern Hemisphere base at Kildangan Stud, Darley’s Irish headquarters, with his first foals arriving earlier this year.
The bulk of Haunui’s mating are now confirmed with both Markisa (NZ) (Danehill {USA}) and Floria (NZ) (Savabeel) to visit Almanzor (FR) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Both mares are due to foal firstly to Iffraaj with the former a grand-daughter of Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {IRE}).
Floria’s first foal by Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) realised $625,000 at Karaka earlier this year while Group 1 winner Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad) will visit Iffraaj.
Floria's first foal by Snitzel sold for $625,000 at the 2018 Karaka sale
Australian bookings confirmed
Among the mares to be mated in Australia are Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}), Full Of Spirit (Flying Spur) and Perfect Fit (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}). “Valpolicella has foaled an Iffraaj colt and is going to Not A Single Doubt, Full Of Spirit foaling to Tavistock and will go to Pierro while Perfect Fit’s going to Snitzel,” Chitty said.
Valpolicella with her Iffraaj colt, she is booked to Not A Single Doubt this season
Valpolicella is the dam of stakes winner Catalonia/Vilanova (NZ) (Commands), Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park)
Perfect Fit was retired last year as the winner of six races, including the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. She is a daughter of the farm’s triple Group 1 winner Fayreform (NZ) (Tights {USA}).
“As a rule we only go to proven stallions. The matings are done by (father) Ron and myself, what we start out with we don’t always finish up with though!” Chitty said.
