War Command Workmanlike Winner of Dewhurst

War Command shook clear of dogged pursuer Cable Bay and won the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (Eng-I) for 2-year-old colts and fillies Oct. 12 at Newmarket. 

 

The Kentucky-bred War Front  colt stamped himself as a horse to watch for next year's QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) with his 1 1/4-length triumph over Cable Bay in a professional effort under Joseph O'Brien. 

 

Favored at 10-11, War Command stalked the early leaders before unleashing a steady rally under pressure to defeat his unrelenting challenger. Cable Bay started at 20-1 odds and led over a furlong out until the winner cruised past with an eighth of a mile to run. 

 

War Command was timed in 1:25.06 for seven furlongs on turf rated good to soft—conditions less than ideal for the winner, who romped away to a six-length victory in the six-furlong Coventry Stakes (Eng-II) June 18 on fast ground at Royal Ascot. 

 

"He's a beautiful action horse and it was very fast the day he won at Ascot and that's really what he wants," said Aidan O'Brien.

 

"A mile will not be a problem, but I'm not sure if he'd get much further."

 

Recent Champagne Stakes (Eng-II) winner Outstrip was settled off the early pace and made good progress to finish third, another 1 1/2 lengths back in the six-horse field.

Breeder Joseph Allen campaigns War Command in partnership with Coolmore and associates.

 

War Command tallied his fourth win from five career starts. Following his eye-catching Coventry win, he finished third in the six-furlong Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) Aug. 11 and rebounded to win the seven-furlong Galileo E.B.F. Futurity Stakes (Ire-II) Aug. 24, both at the Curragh. 

 

Canadian grade II winner Wandering Star, by Red Ransom, is the dam of War Command. He is a half brother to French group III winner Naval Officer from the family of English/Irish classic-placed and influential sire Silver Hawk.