The last foal of Reel, a first-rate racer and one of the most important American broodmares of the pre-Civil War period, War Dance was seemingly destined for racing greatness. Instead, the American Civil War intervened, and he made only one start before going lame. He became one of Lexington's best sons at stud nonetheless, leaving a mark on American Thoroughbred breeding through his daughters.
Race record
1 start
As an individual
A chestnut horse, War Dance had flashy white markings.
As a stallion
War Dance gained a good reputation as both a sire and a broodmare sire. Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits him with seven stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Modesty (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Mannie Gray (USA)
Connections
War Dance was bred by General Thomas Jefferson Wells, who when War Dance was 2 agreed to sell the colt to A. Keene Richards for US$5,000 in gold coin, payable at the conclusion of the war; in the meantime, Wells (and later his estate) maintained ownership of the horse. Sent for safety to Texas, War Dance covered a few mares at Thomas F. McKinney's ranch in Travis County, Texas, in 1864-1866 at an advertised fee of US$100 before going into training at the Metairie track in Louisiana, where he made his only start on April 17, 1866. Richards was able to make payment on the horse's agreed-on sale on that same day and afterward took him to Kentucky, where the horse was put to stud at Richards' Blue Grass Park outside Georgetown, Kentucky, at an advertised fee of US$50.
Pedigree notes
War Dance is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Lecomte (by Lexington's sire Boston), second only to Lexington among the American crop of 1850; to Prioress (by Sovereign), a good 4-mile heat racer in the United States and winner of the 1857 Cesarewitch Stakes in England; and to Starke (by Wagner), winner of the 1861 Goodwood Cup and other good races in England. War Dance is also a half brother to Fanny Wells (by Sovereign), dam of stakes winners Nellie Grey (by Commodore) and Jils Johnson (by Longfellow) and the conduit for Reel's family.
Reel was produced from the Catton mare Galopade (or Gallopade), one of the most influential matrons ever imported to North America. A juvenile sweepstakes winner in England, Galopade also produced Cotillion, a good race mare, and Fandango, both by Leviathan. Both of these daughters also founded branches of what became known as the “Dance Family” due to many of its early members having been named for dances.
Fun facts
Last updated: June 15, 2022
Race record
1 start
As an individual
A chestnut horse, War Dance had flashy white markings.
As a stallion
War Dance gained a good reputation as both a sire and a broodmare sire. Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits him with seven stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Modesty (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Mannie Gray (USA)
Connections
War Dance was bred by General Thomas Jefferson Wells, who when War Dance was 2 agreed to sell the colt to A. Keene Richards for US$5,000 in gold coin, payable at the conclusion of the war; in the meantime, Wells (and later his estate) maintained ownership of the horse. Sent for safety to Texas, War Dance covered a few mares at Thomas F. McKinney's ranch in Travis County, Texas, in 1864-1866 at an advertised fee of US$100 before going into training at the Metairie track in Louisiana, where he made his only start on April 17, 1866. Richards was able to make payment on the horse's agreed-on sale on that same day and afterward took him to Kentucky, where the horse was put to stud at Richards' Blue Grass Park outside Georgetown, Kentucky, at an advertised fee of US$50.
Pedigree notes
War Dance is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Lecomte (by Lexington's sire Boston), second only to Lexington among the American crop of 1850; to Prioress (by Sovereign), a good 4-mile heat racer in the United States and winner of the 1857 Cesarewitch Stakes in England; and to Starke (by Wagner), winner of the 1861 Goodwood Cup and other good races in England. War Dance is also a half brother to Fanny Wells (by Sovereign), dam of stakes winners Nellie Grey (by Commodore) and Jils Johnson (by Longfellow) and the conduit for Reel's family.
Reel was produced from the Catton mare Galopade (or Gallopade), one of the most influential matrons ever imported to North America. A juvenile sweepstakes winner in England, Galopade also produced Cotillion, a good race mare, and Fandango, both by Leviathan. Both of these daughters also founded branches of what became known as the “Dance Family” due to many of its early members having been named for dances.
Fun facts
- War Dance made his only start under the name of “General Westmore.”
Last updated: June 15, 2022