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.

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...
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
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.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Best On Breeding
The Group II Feehan Stakes (from 2005 known as the Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes) has been a good horses race and over the years boasts a roll call of the some of the nations best.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
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.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.