Keeneland September: War Front colt sells for $1 million

A War Front colt capitalized on the recent catalog updates provided by older relative Departing, selling for $1 million to Coolmore-affiliated M.V. Magnier during Monday’s opening session of the Keeneland September yearling sale.

The colt was consigned by breeder Claiborne Farm, as agent. The farm stands War Front and bred and races Departing in partnership with Adele B. Dilschneider.

“We’ve had good luck with War Front this year and last year,” Magnier said. Coolmore campaigns Declaration of War, a multiple Group 1 winner in Europe and one of two winners for his sire this year at the renowned Royal Ascot meeting.

The colt will be sent to Coolmore’s American base, Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., with a decision as to whether he will train in America or Europe to be made at a later date.

The colt is out of the winning mare Guide, a daughter of late Claiborne Farm sire Pulpit. She is the dam of five winners from as many starters, with this yearling is by far the most expensive of her offspring to sell at public auction to date.

Guide is a full sister to Leave, the dam of three winners from as many starters, including Departing. The War Front gelding, winner of the Grade 3 Illinois Derby this spring, has won the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby and Grade 2 Super Derby since the catalog was released, the latter just two days ago.

Guide and Leave, out of the stakes winning Forty Niner mare Tour, are also full sisters to stakes winner Laity. Their half sisters include stakes winner Joke, dam of multiple Grade 1 winner and young sire Zensational; and Grade 3 winner Trip, dam of stakes winner Passport.