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.
With the exception of Fiorente (IRE) in 2008, it has survived the European invasion but at Moonee Valley on Saturday the three Australian and two New Zealand-breds face an onslaught from gallopers bred in Ireland, the United States, Great Britain, South Africa and Germany.
Sydney's Feehan equivalent, the Group II Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on the same day fares a touch better with seven of the 16 starters bred in Australia while, Ireland, Great Britain and the United States all get guernseys.
From a punting perspective it can throw up a few challenges but from a pedigree viewpoint it provides a chance to witness up close the products of some royal bloodlines.
Take Homesman (USA) for instance. (image Grant Courtney ) This blue-blooded son War Front will attempt to go one better than his second in the Feehan last year when he makes his first start since his narrow defeat to Best Solution in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last October.
The former Aidan O'Brien-trainee won the Group III Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh and was taken to America for the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational at Belmont Park where he clocked in third behind Oscar Performance.
Sold to Lloyd Williams, Homesman made an immediate impact in Australia when winning the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude at Caulfield and three starts later provided Macedon Lodge’s new private trainer Liam Howley with his first Group 1 success in the Underwood Stakes.
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 the 12thfoal 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), a son of Seattle Slew who received moderate patronage in Australia mostly covering little more than a handful of mares a season. But he was obviously well-loved, serving for 21 consecutive seasons before his death in 2013 aged 27.
Dynaformer and White Bridled’s half-sister Black Speck has also clicked with War Front producing the Champion Stayer in Hong Kong, the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup winner, Lines Of Battle, as well as the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Stakes winner War Flag.
Both War Front and Dynaformer did not win a Grade 1 but emerged from rather humble beginnings to become highly sought after stallions worldwide.
When Americain's sire Dynaformer, died at the age of 27 at Three Chimneys Farm in 2012 he commanded a fee of $150,000 having begun his career at $10,000.
Likewise, War Front began his career at Claiborne at a fee of $12,500 but a nomination in 2019 would set you back $250,000.
A look at War Front’s top-selling lots in 2018 confirm his appeal in Europe.
- $2.4 million colt at Keeneland September to M.V. Magnier
- $1.75 million filly at Keeneland September to Godolphin
- $1.2 million colt at Keeneland September to Shadwell Estate Co.
- $1.2 million filly at Keeneland September to Shadwell Estate Co.
- $1.1 million colt at Keeneland September to China Horse Club/Maverick Racing.
The first few sons of War Front to stand in Australia have had mixed results but it's early days yet.
One thing for sure, Homesman won’t be continuing the line. He was gelded just two days after making his winning Australian debut.
As a lightly raced 6yo with a record of 4 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 13 starts with earnings of over $1.6 million he still has plenty to offer and we will be banking on a big run to kick-start his spring campaign on Saturday.
