Coolmore Goes Back to War

The Coolmore contingent continued its market domination for top sons of Claiborne resident War Front yesterday as M.V. Magnier stretched to $1.3 million for hip 228, a grandson of MGISW Educated Risk (Mr. Prospector) consigned by Craig and Holly Bandoroff’s Denali Stud, Agent XXIV. Out of the unplaced A.P. Indy mare Score, the bay is a half to Grade II-placed juvenile Timely Tally (Mr. Greeley). This is also the family of champion Inside Information (Private Account). Bred in Kentucky by Tom Ryan’s Dattt Farm, Score was a $725,000 Fasig-Tipton November purchase in foal to Awesome Again in 2007.

 “He’s a very nice horse and it’s the same [War Front–A.P. Indy] cross as [multiple stakes winner, G1 Diamond Jubilee S. runner-up and J”TDN Rising Star”] Due Diligence,” offered M.V. Magnier. “He’s a good mover, the lads liked him and we’ll bring him back to Ashford.” 

Magnier said the new purchase would likely go overseas and join Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle. 
Of the price paid, Magnier commented, “It’s hard to ever expect to pay that kind of money for a horse, but when a horse looks like that and he has great pedigree–hopefully he’ll be worth it.” 
At last year’s Keeneland September sale, M.V. Magnier signed for $2.5-million and $1-million sons of War Front. Demi O’Byrne was responsible for $450,000 and $650,000 purchases, and Aisling Duignan secured a $300,000 son of the international sensation. 

Craig Bandoroff of Denali Stud was understandably excited about the price paid for hip 228, but not completely surprised considering how popular the colt had been in the preceding days. 

“He’s a beautiful horse, he’s by a great stallion and he’s got a real pedigree–the mare’s by A.P. Indy and a daughter of Educated Risk,” Bandoroff said. “It’s very hard to get them to tick all the boxes, but he ticked all the boxes. We came in there knowing we had a nice horse. I can’t remember ever showing a horse more than that horse. He showed over 250 times and showed like a man and did his job. I’m proud of the boys at the farm, and I’m proud of him. It’s a hard thing to do, especially for a yearling at this level. We all get spoiled, but it’s a hard thing to do.” 

Bandoroff postulated that the high prices paid for War Fronts could be a case of relatively short supply and high demand. 
“The beautiful thing about Claiborne is that they don’t breed these horses to a lot of mares–they’re a rarity,” he said. “There’s not a lot of [War Fronts] in here and they’re not at his level.”