War Front (foaled February 11, 2002) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2006 he won the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and finished second in the Forego Handicap and Vosburgh Stakes. Since retiring from racing he has become one of the most expensive sires in the world. His offspring include Declaration of War, The Factor, Roly Poly, U S Navy Flag, Omaha Beach, Siege of Orleans and War of Will.
Background War Front is a bay horse bred by Joseph Allen and was foaled on February 11, 2002, at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. He was sired by Danzig, who won three minor races, but was then retired to stud undefeated as a result of knee problems. He went on to become a successful stallion and was champion sire of North America in 1991, 1992 and 1993. Amongst his other progeny are Chief's Crown, Dance Smartly, Danehill, Dayjur, Green Desert, Hard Spun and Lure. War Front's dam is Starry Dreamer, a daughter of Rubiano who won six races and was placed in a number of graded races. War Front was trained by H. Allen Jerkens. At maturity he reached high.
Racing career
2004: Two-year-old season War Front made his racecourse debut on December 18, 2004, in a six-furlong maiden race at Aqueduct. He never challenged the leaders and finished in seventh place behind winner Diamond Wildcat.Track chart equibase.com This was War Front's only race as a two-year-old.
2005: Three-year-old season War Front's second race came on January 16, 2005, in a one-mile maiden at Aqueduct. After stumbling at the start he recovered to be up with the leaders. He raced three horses wide around the bend, before fading slightly in the final furlong, finishing in third place behind winner Tashdeed.Track chart equibase.com War Front did not race again until August 31, when he was one of six horses to run in a six-furlong maiden at Saratoga. Jockey José Santos sent War Front into a clear lead and he drew away in the closing stages to win by over ten lengths from runner-up Master Command.Track chart equibase.com War Front followed this up by winning an allowance race at Belmont Park on September 18. After being bumped by another horse at the start, he contested the lead for most of the race, before pulling clear in the home straight to win by six lengths from Stars Above.Track chart equibase.com On October 10, War Front stepped up in class for the Princelet Stakes, which is run of one mile and half a furlong at Belmont Park. After racing near the front on the inside, he drew clear when José Santos got him to quicken, and won the race by eight lengths from Skagway.Track chart equibase.com War Front's final race of 2005 was the Discovery Handicap, where he finished in sixth place behind winner Magna Graduate.Track chart equibase.com
2006: Four-year-old season On January 7, 2006, War Front finished second in the Mr. Prospector Handicap at Gulfstream Park, a neck behind winner Gaff.Track chart equibase.com The following month, War Front started as favorite for the Deputy Minister Handicap. After racing near the front in the early stages, War Front drew clear inside the final furlong, but was caught near the line by winner Universal Form, finishing a length behind him in second place.Track chart equibase.com War Front then had a break from racing, returning on July 16 for the Tom Fool Handicap, where he again finished as the runner-up, beaten a neck by Silver Train.Track chart equibase.com On his next start, the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on August 12, War Front started as the favorite and was ridden by regular jockey José Santos. He was up near the front as the six-runner field as the field went into the turn, before accelerating to take the lead while racing four horses wide. In the finishing straight he pulled steadily away to win by two and a half lengths from Judiths Wild Rush, who was a further one and a half lengths clear of third-placed Mass Media.Track chart equibase.com Three weeks later, War Front raced at Grade I level for the first time when he contested the Forego Handicap. He bumped with Silver Wagon at the start and then raced up with the pace. He challenged in the finishing stretch, but could not get past winner Pomeroy and faded in the final stages to finish in second place, two and a quarter lengths behind Pomeroy, and a neck ahead of third-placed Friendly Island.Track chart equibase.com Later in the year, War Front finished second in the Vosburgh Stakes. In his final race he finished seventh behind winner Thor's Echo in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Stud career
War Front was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Expectations were initially moderate, and his stud fee dipped to a low of $10,000 in 2011. That same year though, his first crop turned age three and several of them became stakes winners, both in America on dirt and then in Europe on turf. "He started out with more of a reputation as a dirt sire", said Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne. "It wasn't until he had two winners at Royal Ascot (Declaration of War and War Command) on the same day that he got dubbed a turf sire."
Thanks in part to the support of Coolmore Stud, he started attracting better quality mares and his stud fee steadily increased. His stud fee for 2018 and 2019 was $250,000 (increased from $200,000 for 2016 and $150,000 for 2015 and 2014). This was tied for the highest fees in North America for 2019 and is among the highest in the world.
However, by 2025 his standing fee had been lowered from $100,000 to $75,000.
Notable progeny His most notable progeny so far are:
c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
Foaled Name Sex Major Wins2008 Data LinkcMaker's Mark Mile Stakes 2008 Summer SoireefDel Mar Oaks2008 Sweet OrangecHong Kong Classic Mile (HK)2008 The Factor cPat O'Brien Handicap, Malibu Stakes2009 Declaration of WarcQueen Anne Stakes, International Stakes 2010Helene Super StarcHong Kong Champions & Chater Cup (HK)2010Jack MiltoncMaker's Mark Mile Stakes 2011War CommandcDewhurst Stakes2012AvengefRodeo Drive Stakes2012Peace and WarfAlcibiades Stakes2013Air Force BluecPhoenix Stakes, National Stakes, Dewhurst Stakes2013American PatriotcMaker's Mark Mile Stakes 2013Hit It A Bomb cBreeders' Cup Juvenile Turf2014Brave AnnafCheveley Park Stakes2014HomesmangUnderwood Stakes, Australian Cup 2014Lancaster BombercTattersalls Gold Cup2014Roly PolyfFalmouth Stakes, Prix Rothschild, Sun Chariot Stakes2015Civil UnionfFlower Bowl Stakes 2015U S Navy FlagcMiddle Park Stakes, Dewhurst Stakes, July Cup2016Fog of WarcSummer Stakes (Canada)2016HalladaycFourstardave Handicap2016Omaha BeachcArkansas Derby, Santa Anita Sprint Championship, Malibu Stakes2016War of WillcPreakness Stakes, Maker's Mark Mile Stakes2019AnnapoliscCoolmore Turf Mile Stakes2019Fort WashingtoncArlington Million
Notes:
Pedigree
Note: b. = Bay, br. = Brown, ch. = Chestnut, gr. = Gray
References