Keeneland September: War Front filly first to seven figures

by Joe Nevills and Nicole Russo

A filly by popular young commercial sire War Front struck first at the Keeneland September yearling sale's opening session Monday in Lexington, Ky., going to Shel Evans for $1 million to become the first horse of the day to hit the seven-figure threshold.

The filly, who is out of the unraced Mr. Greeley mare Azzedine, was consigned by Lane's End, as agent.

"I think she's a nice horse," said Evans. "I love War Front and I love the female family."

Evans said that he plans to race his new acquisition before eventually adding her to his broodmare band to breed her to his 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist. The multiple Grade 1 winner will stand at Lane's End in Versailles, Ky., upon the conclusion of his racing career.

Azzedine, out of Grade 2 winner Atelier, is a half sister to graded stakes placed Alaazo. The next dam is Grade 2 winner Aishah, dam of Grade 1 winner and stakes producer Aldiza and five other stakes horses. It is the outstanding family launched by blue hen Courtly Dee, dam of champion Althea - Aishah's full sister. Other notable relatives include Grade 1 winners Arch, Bayern, Balletto, and Twining, U.A.E. champion Festival of Light, among others.

"We thought that was a great price," Bill Farish of Lane's End said of the sale. "We weren't really sure what to expect this early in the sale, but obviously the War Fronts are selling well. She sold very nicely. This is a great famiy, and those give you that extra boost. Sometimes it's a little unexpected. She brought a little more than we thought."