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.

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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. 

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