War Front (USA)
February 11, 2002 – Living
Danzig (USA) x Starry Dreamer (USA), by Rubiano (USA)
Family 4-r
February 11, 2002 – Living
Danzig (USA) x Starry Dreamer (USA), by Rubiano (USA)
Family 4-r
War Front was one of the better American sprinters of 2006 but was not quite top-drawer. Given a chance at stud at Claiborne Farm—where his sire Danzig had made a great name for himself after Seth Hancock took a chance on standing a brilliant but unsound colt—War Front improved markedly on his reputation as a racehorse as a sire. He has been noted for his speedy European juveniles and as a sire of top turf milers in North America but has gotten some high-class runners on dirt and over longer distances as well.
Race record
13 starts, 4 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third, US$424,205
2005:
2006:
As an individual
A muscular bay horse standing 16 hands according to Claiborne Farm’s website, War Front bears a distinct resemblance to his sire, Danzig, although his head is a bit larger in proportion to his size. As a mature stallion, he has displayed a calm, easy-going temperament; according to those who know him well, he is highly intelligent. He enjoys peppermints as treats.
As a stallion
A versatile stallion, War Front has gotten top-level runners on both dirt and turf and at distances up to 11 furlongs.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Notable progeny
Air Force Blue (USA), American Patriot (USA), Annapolis (USA), Avenge (USA), Brave Anna (USA), Civil Union (USA), Data Link (USA), Declaration of War (USA), Fog of War (USA), Halladay (USA), Hit It a Bomb (USA), Homesman (US), Jack Milton (USA), Lancaster Bomber (USA), Lines of Battle (USA), Omaha Beach (USA), Peace and War (USA), Roly Poly (USA), Summer Soiree (USA), The Factor (USA), U S Navy Flag (USA), War Command (USA), War Flag (USA), War of Will (USA), Warning Flag (USA)
Lines of Battle was renamed Helene Super Star following export to Hong Kong and became a Group 1 winner there. Warning Flag was renamed Sweet Orange following export to Hong Kong and became a Group 1 winner there; he also stood in New Zealand under his new name.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, War Front was bred and owned by Joseph Allen. He was trained by Allen Jerkens. His breeding rights were purchased by Claiborne Farm in October 2006 (with Allen retaining a sizable interest), and War Front has stood at Claiborne since his stud career commenced in 2007.
Pedigree notes
War Front is inbred 2x5 to the great international sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old male. He is also inbred 5x5 to six-time English champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Teammate (by A.P. Indy), dam of listed stakes winner Team of Teams (by Elusive Quality). He is also a half brother to two-time Jaipur Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ecclesiastic (by Pulpit), 2020 Red Smith Handicap (USA-G3) winner North Dakota (by Medaglia d’Oro), and Grade 2-placed stakes winner Riviera Cocktail (by Giant’s Causeway). In addition, War Front is a half brother to Gracie Square (by Awesome Again), dam of 2020 Comely Stakes (USA-G3) winner Mrs. Danvers (by Tapit).
War Front and his siblings are out of Grade 1-placed multiple listed stakes winner Starry Dreamer, a half sister to Grade 3-placed multiple restricted stakes winner Take That Step (by Go Step) and stakes winner Star of Stars (by Blushing John). Starry Dreamer, in turn, is out of the winning Forli mare Lara’s Star, whose stakes-placed half sister Sycamore Shoals (by Ancestral) is the dam of three-time Panamanian champion Papa’s Bull (by Major Impact).
The next dam in War Front’s tail-female line is True Reality, a Grade 2-placed daughter of Round Table. Produced from the Warfare mare Secret Promise, True Reality is a half sister to Necessity (by Sir Gaylord), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Spring Beauty (by Full Pocket) and multiple stakes winner Island Empress (by King Pellinore) and second dam of five stakes winners including 1997 Panamanian champion imported 3-year-old filly Chef Michelle and Grade 3 winner Don’t Be Silly.. She is also a half sister to Some Pineapple (by Hawaii), second dam of Australian Group 3 winner West Country, and to Away from Home (by Ack Ack), dam of 1990 Super Derby (USA-G1) winner Home At Last (by Quadratic) and Grade 3 winner Niner’s Home (by Forty Niner) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Indy Groove.
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s footage of War Front’s win in the 2006 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgZHM971Rpk.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken at Claiborne Farm in 2014 by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: October 7, 2023
Race record
13 starts, 4 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third, US$424,205
2005:
- Won Princelet Stakes (USA-R, 8.5FD, Belmont)
2006:
- Won Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (USA-G2, 6FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1, 6FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Forego Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Deputy Minister Handicap (USA-G3, 6.5FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Mr. Prospector Handicap (USA-G3, 6FD, Gulfstream Park)
As an individual
A muscular bay horse standing 16 hands according to Claiborne Farm’s website, War Front bears a distinct resemblance to his sire, Danzig, although his head is a bit larger in proportion to his size. As a mature stallion, he has displayed a calm, easy-going temperament; according to those who know him well, he is highly intelligent. He enjoys peppermints as treats.
As a stallion
A versatile stallion, War Front has gotten top-level runners on both dirt and turf and at distances up to 11 furlongs.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 4th on the Irish general sire list in 2018; 6th in 2017; 8th in 2016; 10th in 2015.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 5th on the American general sire list in 2013.
Notable progeny
Air Force Blue (USA), American Patriot (USA), Annapolis (USA), Avenge (USA), Brave Anna (USA), Civil Union (USA), Data Link (USA), Declaration of War (USA), Fog of War (USA), Halladay (USA), Hit It a Bomb (USA), Homesman (US), Jack Milton (USA), Lancaster Bomber (USA), Lines of Battle (USA), Omaha Beach (USA), Peace and War (USA), Roly Poly (USA), Summer Soiree (USA), The Factor (USA), U S Navy Flag (USA), War Command (USA), War Flag (USA), War of Will (USA), Warning Flag (USA)
Lines of Battle was renamed Helene Super Star following export to Hong Kong and became a Group 1 winner there. Warning Flag was renamed Sweet Orange following export to Hong Kong and became a Group 1 winner there; he also stood in New Zealand under his new name.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, War Front was bred and owned by Joseph Allen. He was trained by Allen Jerkens. His breeding rights were purchased by Claiborne Farm in October 2006 (with Allen retaining a sizable interest), and War Front has stood at Claiborne since his stud career commenced in 2007.
Pedigree notes
War Front is inbred 2x5 to the great international sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old male. He is also inbred 5x5 to six-time English champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Teammate (by A.P. Indy), dam of listed stakes winner Team of Teams (by Elusive Quality). He is also a half brother to two-time Jaipur Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ecclesiastic (by Pulpit), 2020 Red Smith Handicap (USA-G3) winner North Dakota (by Medaglia d’Oro), and Grade 2-placed stakes winner Riviera Cocktail (by Giant’s Causeway). In addition, War Front is a half brother to Gracie Square (by Awesome Again), dam of 2020 Comely Stakes (USA-G3) winner Mrs. Danvers (by Tapit).
War Front and his siblings are out of Grade 1-placed multiple listed stakes winner Starry Dreamer, a half sister to Grade 3-placed multiple restricted stakes winner Take That Step (by Go Step) and stakes winner Star of Stars (by Blushing John). Starry Dreamer, in turn, is out of the winning Forli mare Lara’s Star, whose stakes-placed half sister Sycamore Shoals (by Ancestral) is the dam of three-time Panamanian champion Papa’s Bull (by Major Impact).
The next dam in War Front’s tail-female line is True Reality, a Grade 2-placed daughter of Round Table. Produced from the Warfare mare Secret Promise, True Reality is a half sister to Necessity (by Sir Gaylord), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Spring Beauty (by Full Pocket) and multiple stakes winner Island Empress (by King Pellinore) and second dam of five stakes winners including 1997 Panamanian champion imported 3-year-old filly Chef Michelle and Grade 3 winner Don’t Be Silly.. She is also a half sister to Some Pineapple (by Hawaii), second dam of Australian Group 3 winner West Country, and to Away from Home (by Ack Ack), dam of 1990 Super Derby (USA-G1) winner Home At Last (by Quadratic) and Grade 3 winner Niner’s Home (by Forty Niner) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Indy Groove.
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s footage of War Front’s win in the 2006 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgZHM971Rpk.
Fun facts
- As of 2019, War Front was insured for about US$80 million.
Photo credit
Photo taken at Claiborne Farm in 2014 by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: October 7, 2023