breednet.com.au

War Front's Homesman Out Toughs Them in Underwood Stakes

Mark Smith - Sunday September 30

After disposing of the favourite Grunt as the field turned for home in Sunday's $750,000 Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, Homesman (USA) showed true grit to turn back the challenges of Tosen Basil (JPN) and Humidor to earn his first win at the highest level.

The son of War Front gave Macedon Lodge's new trainer Liam Howley to a dream start his to his new career when he won the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude at Caulfield back on February 24 before he finished a creditable sixth in the Group 1 Australian Cup in March.

Advertisement

He prepped for the Underwood with a fighting second behind Magic Consol Magic in the Group II Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 8.


Given a positive ride by Ben Melham, Homesman (USA) defeated Tosen Basil (JPN) (Harbinger) by a short-head with Humidor (Teofilo) a half-length back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)

"He's very genuine, very honest. Ben gave him a great ride. I think 1800 metres is short of his optimum trip," part-owner Nick Willimas said.

"It's great to get a Group 1 up with him and he gets a ballot free exception to the Caulfield Cup and I'd imagine all things being equal that's where he will head.

"He will probably have another run because he is a big gro0ss horse who takes his racing well. It's just a matter of where we go. It's three weeks so he will race next weekend of the weekend after in the Caulfield Stakes.

"He hasn't put a foot wrong since we've had him. We were a little bit wary of buying him because he is by War Front and they are not known for training on as older horses. He is a super sire in America but mainly of juvenile and short-course horses but this guy is defying the trend

The former Aidan O'Brien-trainee won the Group III Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh back in May last year before finishing fifth in the King George V Stakes at Ascot.

Taken to America for the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational at Belmont Park, Homesman (USA) clocked in third behind Oscar Performance.

The son of War Front is a half-brother to the dual Listed winner and twice Group 1 placed U S Ranger (Danzig).

He is out of the Red Ransom mare My Annette who is a three-quarter-sister to the champion sire Dynaformer and a half-sister to White Bridle (USA).

Homesman (USA) becomes the 19th Group/Grade 1 winner for War Front (Danzig) whose triple Group 1 winning son US Navy Flag will contest the $12 million Everest at Randwick. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Karaka Graduates Shoot for Selangor’s Seven-Figure Prize
A quality cast of four-year-olds will clash in Malaysia’s richest race this weekend, with a significant NZB influence throughout the 16-horse field.
Another Aussie Stakes-Winner for Lope de Vega
It’s just as well Australian owners are keen on bringing in imported tried horses to Australia or the $200,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday would have looked a very skinny event, but as it happened there was a promising young stayer on top in Don Diego de Vega (Fr).
Unbeaten Filly a New Stakes-Winner for Ghaiyyath
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) is not returning to Australia this year after four seasons at Darley Victoria, but he was in the news overnight with a new stakes-winner after his unbeaten three year-old filly Al Uqda won the Listed Vichy Prix Madame Jean Couturie (2000m).
Big Investment Begins Paying Off
A big investment by Rosemont Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in purchasing Group III winning mare Khulaasa for $1.35million produced a dividend on Friday, but that’s just the beginning!
What Stallions Can Step Up in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong racing season is over for another year, so a look at their sire tables by earnings and winners is always interesting and there is no surprise at the top with now pensioned Deep Field claiming his fourth consecutive champion sire title, but given he is now out of the picture the big question is what sires will replace him?
Exciting Aussie 3YO Awarded Champion HK Griffin
The title of Champion HK Griffin is one not bestowed lightly on a talented three year-old with two of the past three winners being Champion Sprinters Ka Ying Rising (NZ) and Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) and the exciting winner for 2024/2025 was announced last night at the final meeting of the season at Happy Valley.
Most expensive yearling of 2018 sells at Keeneland
A colt by War Front from the family of Hall of Famer Rags to Riches became the most expensive Thoroughbred yearling to sell anywhere in the world to date this year when he commanded $2,4 million from Coolmore’s M V Magnier during Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Farnan Filly Impresses at Kembla
Selected as a foundation sire for Kia Ora Stud, Golden Slipper winner Farnan has provided a dream start for the Hunter Valley farm with a slew of smart winners from his first crop this season including Commanding Belle, who became his 11th winner on Thursday.
Homesman a Class Above in Feehan Stakes
Could the War Front gelding Homesman (USA) be the horse to earn an elusive win in the Cox Plate for Lloyd Williams? Judging on his dominant display in Saturday’s Group II Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, the answer is an emphatic yes.