Vale, Desert War

Media Release - Thursday June 22

Gooree Park Stud are mourning the loss of their War Horse, Desert War, due to the effects of old age.  He was 22.

Vale, Desert War.

Desert War was a 4th generation Gooree Park Stud home-bred gelding who was the perfect example of a Gooree Park bred and raised champion - he was tough with a big heart, and loved racing.  Trained by Gai Waterhouse, she showcased his incredible talent and grit on the track as he won 10 stakes races with six of them being Group 1 wins. 

Gai showed just how much she admired Desert War as she named one of her Randwick stables after him.  She would have trained more brilliant horses over the years, but certainly none tougher!

On the track, The War Horse, or Dessie, as he was affectionately known at the stables, captured the hearts of Australian Racegoers with his bold front running "catch me if you can" tactics.  He would roll along at a very high cruising speed and more often than not, prove very hard to get past.  He was such a tough horse and loved a battle! 

Desert War was a Gooree bred champion!

Off the track, he was loved by many as he spent his year in retirement at Gooree Park Stud.  He was a favourite and much sought after part of the “Gooree Wine Tour” as thousands of visitors booked in to visit the old War Horse and have their chance to get up close for a photo and to give him carrots and pears.

Desert War was Awarded Champion Middle Distance Horse of 2007 and following is a list of his Gr 1 wins!

2004/2005 Gr1 Epsom Hcp

Advertisement

2006 Gr1 Chipping Norton Stks

2006 Gr1 Mackinnon Stks

2007 Gr 1 Ranvet Stks

2007 Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stks

Desert War will be laid to rest in the Hill Of Champions at Gooree Park.

Rest In Peace, Dessie!!!

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1.4million Favourite Rolled, But Winner Might be Special
The two year-old colts maiden at Canterbury on Monday was a must watch race with $1.4million Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Central Coast expected to be winning on debut, but the unpredictable nature of racing was seen to full effect when his stablemate Autumn Boy went off script to take the victory at 50-1.
Vale bloodstock agent Michael Wallace
The New Zealand and international thoroughbred industries are mourning the loss of Michael Wallace, who passed away in the United States on Saturday night.
Yulong Win G1 Met Mile at Saratoga
Yulong have made high profile bloodstock investments all over the world and while they have a US trained miler headed to Royal Ascot in Carl Spackler (IRE), they have another currently racing in North America and Raging Torrent carried their colours to victory at a rain soaked Saratoga to win the Group I Metropolitan Mile (1m).
Levendi Thriving at Magnum Park in Tasmania
Magnum Park is proud to announce that their well credentialled young stallion Levendi will stand at the Old Beach property this spring.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 9
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Pedigree Watch – Blueblood 3YOs Win Queensland Classics
A funny thing happened at Eagle Farm on Saturday when both the Group I BRC Queensland Derby (2400m) and Oaks (2200m) were won by 20-1 shots that had never won a stakes race, but they had two interesting things in common and that was very famous families and the Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral!
Pencarrow Celebrate Derby Victory for Iconic Family
Pencarrow Stud’s foundation mare Richebourg has left a lasting impression on the Australasian thoroughbred landscape, with Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) victor Maison Louis further adding to that legacy with his Classic triumph at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
€1.85million Sale-Topping Frankel Filly Wins Epsom Oaks for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Oaks (1m4f) had a raging hot favourite in undefeated Godolphin entry Desert Flower, but she came up short in her first try at the classic trip going down to finish third behind the Aidan O’Brien trained duo Minnie Hauk (Frankel and Whirl (Wootton Bassett).