Ready To Take Off - Air Force Blue

Mark Smith - Friday September 1

Having to compete for exposure with Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (USA) as the new boys on the Coolmore sire roster in 2017 would seem a daunting task, however, breeders have flocked to Air Force Blue (USA) and it's not difficult to see why.

The strikingly handsome son of War Front (USA) was Europe's highest rated two-year-old in 2015 a season where he was beaten just once, when second in the Group II Coventry Stakes, in five starts.

Advertisement

His wins included the Curragh's Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and Group 1 National Stakes and culminated in a three and a quarter length triumph in the Group I Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.


While his three-year-old career was a non-event, Air Force Blue (USA) possessed that much-prized preciousness that has proved so successful in Australia.

A $490,000 Keeneland September Yearling, Air Force Blue (USA) is a son of Danzig's highly prized son War Front who commands a $US250,000 service fee at Claiborne Stud.

His stakes-placed dam Chatham (Mariah's Mon) is a daughter of Circle Of Gold (Seeking the Gold) an unraced sister to Flanders whose four wins from five starts included Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at the expense of her Hall Of Fame stablemate Serena's Song, earning her the Eclipse Award for the Champion 2-year-old filly in the U.S.

Flanders was first past the post in all five starts at two, the Spinaway, Matron, Frizette in addition to the Juvenile Fillies, however, she was disqualified in the Matron due to a positive test.

The first foal of Flanders was Surfside, a daughter of Seattle Slew who won four Grade 1 races and was honoured as the champion 3-year-old filly of 2000.

The book full sign went up early on Air Force Blue (USA).

Among the waiting harem is the flying Lion Hunter mare Lovely Jubly the dam of six-time Group I winning sprinter Chautauqua. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pedigree Watch – 3YO Plus That G1 Late Bloomer
Saturday delivered another exciting instalment of early spring racing with three stakes races for 3YO’s and once again all of them were won by new first time stakes-winners that were virtually unsighted at two and we also had a new G1 winner, whose path to the top has been anything but smooth.
Air Force Blue In Demand
Do you own one of the 58 foals sired by Air Force Blue (USA) from his one season at stud in Australia?.
Pericles Turns Back the Clock
Six year-old Street Boss (USA) gelding Pericles won the Group II ATC Tramway Stakes (1400m) two years ago in 2023 when trained by James Cummings and he repeated the effort at Randwick on Saturday, but this time he is in the care of Bjorn Baker.
Derby Dreaming for Crown of Russia
Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleashed another.
Group One Double for War Front
With GROUP I wins for his daughters Roly Poly and War Flag, War Front achieved a GROUP I turf double for a second consecutive weekend to further consolidate his standing as one of the world’s best sires.
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Ka Ying Rising Straight to Everest Quarantine after Return Romp
Hong Kong Champion Ka Ying Rising was headed straight to quarantine to prepare for the Group I The Everest after another stunning performance when resuming for the new season on Sunday at Sha Tin.
More Stakes Success for Impending - Cool Memory Wins Listed Farnley
A son of Larneuk Stud's value Lonhro stallion Impending, five year old Cool Memory bolted in to claim his second stakes win and bring joy to favourite backers on a rain-drenched Saturday at Belmont Park.
Sires With Winners - Saturday September 6
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stakes Goals Ahead for Supido Mare
Astute trainer David Payne is no stranger to G1 success and has always held Supido mare Shohisha in high regard and she showed the potential of better things to come this spring when powering home to win the Benchmark 94 event over 1600m at Randwick on Saturday.