Coolmore Celebrate War

Coolmore and partners invested heavily on a significant number of well-bred colts at the yearling sales in 2012 and one of them, War, had his first taste of Black Type on Saturday when scoring a bold front running win in the Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes at Warwick Farm.

The Gai Waterhouse trained son of More Than Ready (USA) finished second on debut in the Listed ATC Breeders Plate, but spent the remainder of his juvenile season on the bench.

Resuming from a long spell at Canterbury on August 7, War turned in an indifferent run, but stripped a fitter and more focused conveyance for this 1300 metre assignment.

Driven from the gates by Tommy Berry, War led throughout and kicked strongly to break his maiden with a three-quarter length victory.

"He's a very good horse in the making," Waterhouse said.

"Everyone wanted to knock his run at Canterbury, but I thought it was outstanding. He has gone ahead in leaps and bond since."

Bred and offered for sale by John Singleton's Strawberry Hill stud, War was consigned to the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where he was snapped up by James Bester Bloodstock/Demi O'Byrne on behalf of Coolmore and partners for $500,000.

A three-quarter brother-in-blood to champion mare More Joyous, War is the first foal of Deedra, a minor winning half-sister by Zabeel to Group I winners Tuesday Joy and Sunday Joy, who is of course the dam of More Joyous.

Strawberry Hill sold the second foal of Deedra, a filly by High Chaparral (IRE) for $700,000 at Inglis Easter this year. The mare also has another filly to follow by War's sire More Than Ready and will foal again to the same sire this spring.

War is the 118^th stakes-winner for Vinery Stud's champion sire More Than Ready, whose star American son Verrazano is also owned by Coolmore and partners and will contest the Group I Travers Stakes tomorrow morning.