March 1, 2019 - DUNDALK, Race 2, Msw, EUR €12,500, 6.0F
1st Dam: Photograph
2st Dam: Black Speck
2st Dam: Andover Way
Owner: Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor & D Smith & J Allen
Breeder: Joseph Allen
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Out early with time to catch up on, having been sidelined since finishing such an encouraging second on debut in a Curragh maiden over six furlongs at the end of June, Coolmore and Joseph Allen’s U S S Michigan (War Front) started 2019 on the front foot in Dundalk’s Lengthen The Odds With BetVictor Maiden on Friday evening. Quickly away from his widest draw to race in second, the grey was in front shortly before lugging right with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. Firmly in command despite that errant course, the 2-5 favourite stayed on to record a comfortable 2 1/2-length verdict over Royal Court (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). “He’s a very big, strong horse and he’s going to get better throughout the year,†jockey Ryan Moore commented. “He’s going to be a real progressive horse and he did everything right, so you’d have to be happy with that start.†Aidan O’Brien was on hand to witness the stable’s first European runner of the year and told Irish Racing.com, “He’s a big horse and we gave him time. He could go for a trial on the all-weather at Chelmsford.†Joseph Allen’s homebred is a full-brother to War Dispatch, who captured the G3 Prix de Guiche before finishing third in a strong edition of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club in 2015 behind New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-FR, $654,017. The first foal of the unraced dam Photograph, he was followed a year later by George Patton, another War Front who was second in the G3 Prix Daphnis, GSP-Fr, $105,521. The unraced Photograph, who has a 2-year-old colt named U S Delta Force and yearling colt carrying the title of Battle of Britain also by War Front, is a half-sister to five significant stakes performers headed by War Front’s G2 UAE Derby hero and Hong Kong champion Lines of Battle and War Flag, heroine of the GI Flower Bowl S. The third dam is the GI Top Flight H. winner Andover Way (His Majesty) who produced none other than Dynaformer (Roberto). This exceptional family also features the GI Suburban H. scorer Offlee Wild (Wild Again) and fellow sire U S Ranger (Danzig), as well as another of War Front’s success stories in the G1 Underwood S. winner Homesman.
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