War Front: A Powerful Force In Horse Racing

War Front sticking his tongue out after being fed a peppermint.

If you visit Claiborne Farm, you will have the opportunity to take a picture with $80 million in the form of a horse named War Front. The mating that produced War Front was born from the mind of Joseph Allen, former president and vice chairman of the newsprint company Brant-Allen News Industries Inc. He had paired the mare Starry Dreamer, a stakes winner and graded stakes placed daughter of Rubiano, with Danzig. War Front was born on Feb. 11, 2002.

Danzig closely resembled his sire Northern Dancer (though a bit taller with more scope). And as it goes, War Front was a near spitting image of his sire. The colt’s breeding was great, so it was no surprise that Joseph Allen did not sell him.

When the time came, War Front was sent to trainer H. Allen Jerkens. He made his two-year old debut on Dec. 18, 2004, finishing a non-exciting 7th. He came back the following month as a more mature three-year old, standing at 16hh. His dark bay coat was decorated in muscles and a beautiful blaze. He finished third in his three-year old debut after stumbling at the start. He was then given 7 months off the races, finally breaking his maiden by over ten lengths on Aug. 31, 2005. He then won an allowance at Belmont Park by six lengths even after being bumped at the start.

War Front continued his large margin winning ways with a six length victory in the Princelet Stakes. He made his final start of 2005 in the Gr.3 Discovery Handicap, finishing a disappointing 6th.

War Front escaped the cold New York winters when his trainer H. Allen Jerkens shipped him down to sunny Florida. He made his first start in the Gr.3 Mr. Prospector Handicap, rallying but unable to catch Gaff in time. He made his second and last start at Gulfstream Park in the Gr.3 Deputy Minister Handicap, again finishing second.

War Front peers out of his stall at the tour group there to greet him.

War Front was given another few months off of racing, returning to New York for the Gr.2 Tom Fool Handicap. He showed his heart by battling down the stretch with Silver Train, but lost by a head. After almost an entire year of losses, War Front returned to the winners’ circle in the Gr.2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Breeders’ Cup Handicap. Following that victory, War Front was stepped up into the Gr.1 class for the final three starts of his career.