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Widden Stud have secured the very best in Australian juvenile speed in recent years with the acquisition of Golden Slipper winners Stratum and Sebring, so it should come as no surprise that unbeaten US Group One Breeders Cup Juvenile winner War Pass (USA) is a new addition to the stallion roster this spring.
American bloodstock agent John Brocklebank has been a regular visitor to Australia in the last few years and has no doubt War Pass has all the qualities prized by Australian breeders.
“Man, that horse gives me chills he’s the real deal, he’s the US equivalent of your Luskin Star or Vain,” Brocklebank said.
Undefeated in four starts at two highlighted by spectacular Group One victories in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and Champagne Stakes, War Pass was the Champion North American Juvenile in 2007 and the highest rated winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in the past 20 years.
“In the Breeders' Cup Juvenile he was facing other formidable front-runners, but he proved to be the fastest of the fast, running away from the high-quality field to win by nearly five lengths over runner-up Pyro,” said respected American racing analyst Andrew Beyer.
“And he was very fast indeed. War Pass earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 113 -- the best single performance by any 2-year-old since Easy Goer in 1988, the first year that these racing figures were published.”
Seeing is believing and behind him that day were Group One winners Tale of Ekati and Kodiak Kowboy as well as Group Two winner Pyro.
His previous win in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont was every bit as good with Pyro again doing the chasing as well as Group One winner Majestic Warrior, Group Two winner Ready’s Image and Group Three winner Lantana Mob.
War Pass had just three starts as a three year-old, winning on his return at Gulfstream and finishing second in the Group One Wood Memorial Stakes before suffering a career ending injury.
Retired with the impressive record of five wins and a second from just seven starts and $US1.5 million in prizemoney, War Pass is standing his debut season at Lane’s End in Kentucky.
“War Pass fits in perfectly to our stallion roster with his blistering speed and natural two year-old talent, combined with a familiar, yet outcross US pedigree that will bring some much needed diversity to Australian breeders,” said Antony Thompson.
War Pass is one of close to 40 stakes-winners by champion sprinter Cherokee Run, a Group One Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and grandson of Blushing Groom, whose sireline has met with success in this part of the world through the likes of Quest for Fame (GB) and Nassipour (USA).
His stakes-placed dam Vue is by Mr Prospector and is no one hit wonder in the breeding barn having also produced a Group One winning juvenile filly in Oath, so there is pedigree and race performance to back up War Pass’s impressive credentials.
Completely free of Northern Dancer blood, War Pass is an exciting alternative for Australian breeders this spring, his service fee set at $22,000 inc. GST.
For further information Antony Thompson, Derek Field 0408 492 495 or Ryan McEvoy (0439 802 837) on tel: 02 6549 9999 fax: 02 65 49 9900 email: info@widden.com
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