First NZ Winner for War Decree - Half-Sister in K1

Media Release - Saturday March 5

Two-year-old debutant Turf War showed plenty of courage as he held off all challenges to register the first victory for his sire War Decree when taking out the opening event at Wingatui on Saturday.

Turf War has credited his sire War Decree with his first New Zealand winner after a decisive victory at Wingatui Photo Credit: Tayler Strong

Bred and raced by Gus Wigley and his wife Bianca under their Inglewood Stud banner, Turf War is from the first crop of Gr.2 Goodwood Vintage Stakes (1400m) winner War Decree, their current resident stallion who is a son of internationally acclaimed stallion War Front.

Prepared by Wigley’s father Nick in partnership with Kayla Milnes, Turf War went into the race off the back of an educational trial over 800m at Ashburton last month, before trekking south from his Rangiora base to make his debut.

Away cleanly from a midfield barrier for rider Tina Comignaghi, who replaced Jacob Lowry when he failed to make the gelding’s 57kg handicap, Turf War settled nicely in the trail before angling off the fence to challenge at the 300m.

Tackled by race favourite Defiant at the 150m, Turf War found plenty as he held a half-length margin to the finish line to claim the victory.

“That’s a big thrill and nice to breed the first winner by War Decree and have it in our colours,” Gus Wigley said.

“We got a real buzz out of that and it is nice timing just before the yearling sales.

“He is a horse we think a lot of but thought it might be a bit soon for him as we think he could grow into a nice horse in the spring, a real Guineas type of horse.”

Wigley is currently on site at the Karaka sales complex preparing for the 2022 edition of the National Yearling Sale, where Inglewood Stud will offer ten yearlings across the six days of selling including three by War Decree.

“We have a lovely Book 1 colt by War Decree and a couple for the Book 2 sale, while we have a lot of clients with them here as well, with around seventeen by him throughout the sale,” Wigley said.

Advertisement

“He has shown a lot of promise as a sire so far, with three of his first crop running in the placings including one (Val Di Zoldo) with a Group Three second.”

Milnes, who is also on the grounds at Karaka, was delighted with the victory.

“It was a shame I couldn’t be there, but we got to watch it from here (Karaka) on the big screen,” she said.

“He has been a really nice horse to break in and has done everything right.

“We were actually going to put him in the paddock after his trial, but he came through it so well, ate everything and was happy to be in work.

“We will see how he comes through this run, but we might put him in the paddock for a couple of weeks and then have a look at the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Riccarton in May.”

Turf War is the first foal of High Chaparral mare Shuffled who is a full sister to Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner Ace High, who now stands at Rich Hill Stud and will have his first crop of yearlings at Karaka this year.

Lot 578

Inglewood Stud will offer a half-sister to Turf War by Lonhro as Lot 578 during the Book 1 sale at Karaka which commences at 11am on Monday March 7. – NZ Racing Desk

Visit the profile page for WAr Decree

WAr Decree in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Charm Stone Share Highlights September (Late) Online Sale
A share in G1 winner Charm Stone headlines the Inglis Digital September (Late) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
China Horse Owners Alliance named new Inglis China Representative
Inglis is thrilled to announce the China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) as the company’s new China Representative.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).