Two-time group I winner Declaration of War will retire from racing to stand at Coolmore's Irish headquarters in Fethard, County Tipperary, following his final start in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 2. The son of War Front 's 2014 fee will be announced at a later date.
"Declaration of War has danced every dance this season and will have one more run in the Breeders' Cup Classic," trainer Aidan O'Brien said in a Coolmore release.
The 4-year-old colt won the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I) at one mile at Royal Ascot in June, and added another group I score to his résumé when he defeated Trading Leather and Al Kazeem in the Aug. 21 Juddmonte International Stakes at York in 2:05.74, a time topped only by European Horse of the Year Sea The Stars.
"He has an unbelievable constitution and is a lot like Giant's Causeway , a big, powerful, strong traveler, so we're hopeful that he'll run well (in the Classic)," O'Brien said of Declaration of War.
Bookmakers have rated Declaration of War at 10-1 for the Classic behind 7-2 early favorite Game On Dude, who is unbeaten in six starts since faltering as the favorite in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic.
Declaration of War also won this year's Diamond Stakes (Ire-III) and Heritage Stakes in Ireland, and placed in a pair of group I contests in England for owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Joseph Allen. He has an overall record of 7-1-1 from 12 starts for earnings of $1,347,489.
Bred in Kentucky by Joseph Allen, Declaration of War is out of the winning Rahy mare Tempo West, who is a half sister to Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags . Tempo West is also the dam of stakes winner Vertiformer (by Dynaformer).
"Unbeaten as a 2-year-old in France, Declaration of War won two of Britain's highest-profile group Is this summer and is a very imposing horse to look at," Coolmore manager Christy Grassick said in a statement. "His sire War Front is probably the most sought-after stallion in America at the moment and his dam is a half-sister to star 2-year-old and American classic winner Union Rags. He's a hugely exciting prospect."
