And while the results page shows in the end it all came to nothing, the reality was that my first home-bred mare gave me, and many others so much more than that.
When the Prince Arthur – Rose Among Thorns filly was born in early September 2011 I wrote a piece about the overwhelming feeling that consumed me, joy, excitement, expectation and relief that my lovely mare had produced a perfect foal with no issues.
I was stunned at the level of empathy from some well-known breeders and racing administrators who were quick to tell me of how wide-spread that feeling is for everyone involved in the birth of a thoroughbred.
Now 6 years later I am feeling another emotion. Sad, a touch defeated and empty after hearing the now six-year old mare has come to the end of her racing days.
Without a win.
Most owners will relate to that as only the very fortunate and very rare individuals have every horse retire a winner.
So this story is a celebration for the rest of us, who know the results page is just a number and the journey we have been on with our beloved thoroughbred has touched hearts and minds, incredibly right around the world.
War Of The Roses bled this morning in track-work at Hawkesbury and given we have brought her back from so many small afflictions in an endeavour to achieve that elusive win, this really is a bridge too far. Not only the three-month ban but the risk of bringing her back and racing where she tries so hard it would be just too risky to attempt this time.
This is a tough mare who has great gate speed and tries so hard Kathy O'Hara who rode her first up this preparation commented she really does try to go too fast for her own legs. She was never going to be a world-beater but she deserved a small success.
Her ownership group, ABC journalist Patrick Galloway and his wife Kara, former Arrowfield Stud marketing manager Frank Pollio, Brett Bradley, the man who said no to a share in Black Caviar and said he would never say no to another share in a horse! Friends of Dato Tan Chin Nam, Ian Fong and Mike and Isabel Kelly and Dato's staff members Nancy Chan and Zaed Zainuddin have all stayed in for the long haul as preparation after preparation the mare would be ready to trial or race and cut a leg or hurt herself on a truck or suffer a suspensory strain enough to end months and months of work.
Nevertheless "Team Rosie" had every return to work, every barrier trial, every race-start celebrated around the world from Kara's parents in Texas to former strappers and track-work riders in the UK, France and Sweden all of whom respond with delight, when there is news on the affectionately named "WOTR" on social media.
One of my personal favourite memories was when I wasn't even in the same state for one of War Of The Rose's early trials. I was filming at Three Bridges in Victoria, doing a piece on horse-back with the Liston family when I paused the shoot on the back of the horse and listened by phone. Tommy Berry was riding her and it was relayed to me that she had won! (beaten 0.1 length) I couldn't stop saying "my little home-bred just won a trial at Randwick!!" It was just astronomical to me that my little mare could throw a trial winner at head-quarters in Sydney.
These are the small joys that fill race-fields. Not every horse will win but if owners enjoy these thrills and celebrate them well, they will keep coming back to this amazing sport which is full of so many highs and lows.
For many people who have been long-time owners, breeders, trainers or in the media it's easy to forget the passion that is involved in owning even a small share in a horse.
Despite having commentated on racing for decades, these regular excitements were so new to me. The incredible pride and joy in seeing my race colours on a track, what felt like an enormous privilege to see my mare galloping at Randwick of a morning, the inclusive feel around the stable from the staff who knew my girl so much more intimately than I. Seeing comments on my horse's chances in the paper and media colleagues such as Ray Thomas almost WILLING her to win the amount of times he included her in his selections!
The incredible frustration of waiting for noms and acceptances to come out, praying for a small enough field to get in. Getting balloted out or not finding the race of the right distance for three weeks and then getting hurt in the wait for the ideal race. Who knew!
When she obviously wasn't going to win city races War Of The Roses moved from the James Cummings' team to Greg Bennett who had trained her mother and was confident she had a few wins in her. But again injury and Greg's departure for Queensland directed her to a great young trainer near Singleton, Todd Howlett, who had her in fantastic order and coming off a good run over the mile, before another small injury put her out for another 6 months.
Most recently after another round of pre-training at Lime Country and months of work at Hawkesbury racecourse, Noel and Emma Mayfield-Smith had the mare on song to finally get that win in her next couple of starts. Despite her last placing at her final start there was merit in the run as the winner nearly won in town yesterday after running home in 33 secs at Kembla. These are the things owners keep seeing. There is always a positive even in defeat!
So, War Of The Roses retires with two placings from 13 starts. A non-winner.
How-ever with her half-sister having won now the dream rolls on with War Of The Rose's 2yo full-brother. King William is in training with John Sargent and while again not bred to beat the world I can say he is flying on the track!
So, while his big sister heads for some r "n" r tomorrow and eventually a good home where her willingness to work will undoubtedly bring someone much joy in an equestrian capacity, I'll be out at Royal Randwick at the crack of dawn to watch my third home-bred jump-out.
The dream lives on!
By Caroline Searcy.
