Fix Crowned NZB’s Filly of the Year

The wait is over for the connections of Fix (Iffraaj) who had to see out Saturday’s $300,000 Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) before they could celebrate her NZB Filly of the Year Series victory.

The Ken & Bev Kelso trained Fix (Iffraaj x Destined) did not contest the Oaks, the final leg in the 10 race New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, as she was sent to the paddock after finishing a brave second in the Group 1 NZ Derby a fortnight ago.

Fix is from Iffraaj’s first southern hemisphere crop

The daughter of Iffraaj was sitting on 27.5 Series points coming into the Oaks after her three consecutive Group 2 wins in the Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic, NZB Royal Stakes & Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and placing in the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas.

Such was her dominance on the Series leader board that there was only one filly, Soriano (Savabeel), who had a chance to steal the Series victory by winning the Oaks, but she finished down the field in Saturday’s Group 1, ensuring Fix took home the title.

Fix’s Series win has earned her connections $50,000 in bonus cheques including $10,000 for her breeders Frantic Bloodstock & Haunui Farm, $10,000 for her trainers Ken & Bev Kelso and $30,000 for her owner Gary Harding.

“We are thrilled to have won the Series,” said Harding. “We made the call to leave her out of the Oaks after her second placing in the Derby and that was a risky move but in the end it proved the right one.

“It’s hard to find fillies of this quality and we have turned down some very big offers for her as the family and I love racing her and we get a real thrill being a part of what she has achieved . Ken and Bev are very positive about her future and think she will be even better next season so we will look to the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown in the spring and then perhaps Australia.”

Fix’s win was also a big result for her breeders, Cathy Franich’s Frantic Bloodstock, and the Chitty’s Haunui Farm.

“She was right there from the start of the Series basically to the end of it which is a credit to the filly and that’s what you need to be able to do to win the title,” commented Haunui Farm General Manager Mark Chitty.

“It’s a time honoured Series and it’s a great result for the farm and for Iffraaj who we stand. To breed a horse such as Fix who is from Iffraaj’s first crop and to see her go on to win such a prestigious Series is fantastic and hopefully there are many more like her to come.”

The daughter of Iffraaj now joins the likes of Planet Rock, King’s Rose, Katie Lee, Princess Coup, Bramble Rose and Vapour Trail as the winner of the coveted NZB Filly of the Year title.

Fix was purchased by Gary Harding from Haunui Farm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2011 Karaka Premier Sale for $220,000. Her half-sister by Zabeel was purchased by Alan Bell from Haunui Farm at this year’s Karaka Premier Sale for $800,000, the highest priced filly in the Sale.

The Graeme & Debbie Rogerson trained Soriano finished second in the Series with 19 points. The hugely consistent filly won the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes in December and placed in four other legs including the Eight Carat Classic and Sir Tristram Fillies Classic behind Fix.

The Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas winner Rollout the Carpet (Holy Roman Emperor) finished third with 15 Series points. She also ran second in the first leg of the Series – the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes – behind Pure Elegance (Redoute’s Choice). 

To view the final points table for the Series, click here.